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Topics: Greta Thunberg, Israel, Politics, World News, News
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Greta Thunberg, Israel, Politics, World News, News
An update has been given on the welfare of Greta Thunberg and the 11 other activists that were on a boat with her that was seized by Israeli forces.
Thunberg had been traveling to the Gaza Strip on a boat named Madleen to bring aid to Palestinians when they were stopped by the military.
The seizure sparked the release of a pre-recorded video featuring Thunberg. In it, she said: "My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden.
"If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces — or forces that support Israel.
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"I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible."
By the evening of Monday (June 9), Thunberg and other activists had arrived in Ashdod, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
The 12 activists were undergoing medical checks to ensure they are in good health, the ministry said.
They were expected to be held at a detention facility in Ramle before being deported, according to Adalah, a legal rights group representing them.
In a statement later shared to social media, Israel Foreign Ministry said: "The passengers of the 'Selfie Yacht' arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.
"Some of the 'Selfie Yacht' passengers are expected to leave within the next few hours.
"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.
"Consuls from the passengers’ home countries met them at the airport."
The amount of aid on Thunberg's boat also reportedly amounted to less than a truckload, PA says.
"This wasn’t humanitarian aid. It’s Instagram activism," Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said. "Meanwhile, Israel has delivered over 1,200 truckloads in the last two weeks. So who’s really feeding Gaza and who’s really feeding their own ego? Greta was not bringing aid, she was bringing herself."
The boat carrying Thunberg was operated by Freedom Flotilla (FFC), which just last month sent another boat to try reach Gaza.
However, the vessel went on to be attacked by two drones in international waters off Malta, organizers said.
The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the ship’s front section, according to Sky News.