Israel Deports Greta Thunberg After Intercepting Gaza-Bound ‘Selfie Yacht’
Career protester Greta Thunberg was heading for her Swedish homeland Tuesday after she was detained by Israel along with fellow activists aboard their Gaza-bound “selfie yacht.”
AFP reports of the 12 people on board the Madleen bound for Hamas-controlled Gaza, five French activists were taken into custody after they refused to leave Israel voluntarily.
Israeli forces intercepted the yacht, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in international waters on Monday, as Breitbart News reported.
It was towed it to the port of Ashdod before passengers were transferred to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and prepared for departure flights, the foreign ministry said.
The 22-year-old and her fellow travelers were not dealt with until they were forced to watch footage from the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.
“Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France),” Israel’s foreign ministry said on its official X account on Tuesday, along with a photo of the activist sitting on board a plane.
Five French activists who were also aboard the Madleen were set to face an Israeli judge, the French foreign minister said.
“Our consul was able to see the six French nationals arrested by the Israeli authorities last night,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X.
“One of them has agreed to leave voluntarily and should return today. The other five will be subject to forced deportation proceedings.”
In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the protest group had arrived at Ben Gurion airport to “return to their home countries”.
“Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority,” it said on X.
AFP contributed to this report
