Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg arrived in Greece on Monday with a group of campaigners who were expelled from Israel for attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, as observed by AFP reporters. Thunberg, aged 22, was part of a flotilla that aimed to breach Israel’s blockade of the conflict-ridden area. Upon returning to Europe, many participants shared accounts of mistreatment by Israeli authorities.
Thunberg, along with 160 others, landed at Athens International Airport to a warm reception by a crowd of activists. She described the Global Sumud Flotilla as the largest effort to challenge Israel’s unlawful blockade by sea. Expressing disappointment, she urged global action to prevent what she referred to as Israel’s “genocide” against the Palestinians.
During their arrival, activists displayed a large Palestinian flag and chanted slogans like “Freedom for Palestine” and “Long live the flotilla!” French-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who was part of the group, alleged that she was physically assaulted by Israeli police upon interception of the flotilla.
Yasmin Acar, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, criticized the treatment of detainees, claiming they were subjected to inhumane conditions and likened to animals and terrorists. The detainees reported lack of access to basic necessities like clean water and food during their initial hours in custody.
Israel has denied the mistreatment allegations. The Greek foreign ministry disclosed that a “special repatriation flight” brought back 161 individuals, including 27 Greeks and nationals from 15 European countries, to Athens. Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the deportation of a total of 171 activists to Greece and Slovakia.
Departing from Barcelona in early September, the flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli navy near Egypt. Israel accused the flotilla of having ties to Hamas and violating restricted zones, claiming minimal humanitarian aid was found onboard. More than 470 individuals were arrested, with 138 still in detention in Israel, including 13 Brazilians, some of whom are on a hunger strike.
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva condemned Israel’s actions, demanding the immediate release of the detained Brazilians and accusing Israel of violating international law by intercepting the flotilla and continuing to hold the participants against their will.