Greta Thunberg Deported by Israel
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has returned to her home country after being deported from Israel. She was trying to take humanitarian aid to Gaza with a group of 11 other activists. Their goal was to break the Israeli blockade and deliver supplies. However, Israeli security forces stopped their boat and did not allow them to enter Gaza.
Arrival in Stockholm
Greta arrived at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm on Tuesday night, just after 10:30 pm (2030 GMT). About 30 supporters were waiting to welcome her. They waved Palestinian flags and cheered as she landed. Many media reporters were also present at the airport.
Accusations Against Israel
During a stopover in Paris earlier that day, Greta told reporters that Israel had “kidnapped” her and the other activists. When asked in Stockholm if she was scared during the incident, she said,
“What I’m afraid of is that people are silent during an ongoing genocide.”
She strongly criticized Israel, accusing the country of breaking international law and committing war crimes in Gaza.
“Israel is guilty of a systematic genocide and of starving more than two million people in Gaza,” she said.
Israel Denies Genocide Accusations
Human rights groups like Amnesty International have accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. However, Israel completely rejects these accusations and says they are not true.
Read More: Meat Consumption in Eid vs Rest of the Year
Call for Global Action
Greta urged people and governments to take action. She said,
“We must act. We must demand that our governments act. And when they don’t, we must take action ourselves.”
Greta’s Activism and Travel
Greta Thunberg became famous for her protests against climate change when she was still a schoolgirl. She is known for avoiding flying to reduce her carbon footprint. She has even crossed the Atlantic Ocean by sailboat twice to attend international events.
When asked how she felt about traveling by plane this time, she seemed confused and replied,
“Why are you asking about that?”
What Happened to the Other Activists?
There were 12 people on the boat called the Madleen, which carried food and supplies for Gaza. Out of the 12:
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8 were taken into custody because they refused to leave Israel voluntarily.
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4 were deported, including Greta Thunberg.
All 12 people have now been banned from entering Israel for 100 years, according to the rights group representing them.
Background of the Ongoing War
The war between Israel and Hamas began after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. According to official figures:
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1,219 people were killed in Israel during that attack, most of them civilians.
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In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza.
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The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says at least 54,981 people have died since then. Most of the victims were civilians. The United Nations says these figures are reliable.
There were also 251 hostages taken during the October 7 attack. As of now:
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54 are still being held in Gaza
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32 of them are believed to be dead, according to the Israeli military.
Source: Samakal
