Israeli occupation on Tuesday started to deport pro-Palestine activists who were abroad Gaza-bound aid boat, a day after it was seized by in the Mediterranean on Monday.
The Israeli foreign ministry said Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg departed Tel Aviv on Tuesday morning on a flight to France.
In a post on X, the Israeli ministry shared a photo of Thunberg on a plane, saying she had departed Israel and was headed to France before continuing on to Sweden.
Thunberg, along with 11 other activists onboard the Madleen, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, were intercepted by the Israeli occupation military early on Monday and taken to the port of Ashdod.
“Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority, in accordance with Israeli law, to authorize their deportation,” the Israeli foreign ministry added in its post.
Adalah, a legal rights group in the Zionist entity representing Thunberg and the other activists, said Thunberg, two other activists and a journalist had agreed to be deported and leave the occupied territories. Other activists refused deportation, were being held in detention and their case was set to be heard by Israeli occupation authorities.
As well as France and Sweden, citizens of Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey were on board the Madleen.
⚡️BREAKING: 8 Activists including MEP Rima Hassan are under arrest by Israel in Givon Prison in Ramleh, they are set to contest deportation before Israeli tribunal Today
10:30 AM Jerusalem time | Adalah Update:
“Yesterday, Adalah lawyers met with 11 of the 12 detained… pic.twitter.com/ZNHYOXZaOu
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) June 10, 2025
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the activist group operating the yacht, said in a statement on Monday night that it expected any of the passengers who refused the deportation orders to be transferred to Ramle prison, near Tel Aviv.
“We continue to demand the immediate release of all volunteers and the return of the stolen aid. Their kidnapping is unlawful and a violation of international law,” it added.
The FFC said the Madleen was carrying baby formula, food, medicine for Gaza.
The boat set sail from Italy on 1 June to raise awareness of starvation conditions in Gaza and deliver aid.
Source: Agencies
