Israel Begins Deportation of Gaza-Bound Activists as Global Outcry Grows
Rabat – The Israeli Foreign Ministry has announced that 11 activists and journalists taken from the aid ship Madleen are being deported. The group is now at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and will be sent back to their home countries soon.
Reports say that four of these activists, including Greta Thunberg, have been deported this morning, while the others remain in detention.
The Madleen, which was trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and break the Israeli blockade, was seized by Israeli forces in international waters on Monday as it was approaching the strip. Environmental and human rights groups have condemned the move, calling it illegal and unjust.
Greenpeace said the ship was 'illegally seized' and demanded the immediate release of the crew. The group also urged for free access to Gaza for aid shipments and called for 'an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine'.
The Climate Action Network, which represents climate groups from around the world, said the Madleen was on a humanitarian mission with food and medicine for Gaza's population. They strongly criticized Israel's actions.
Climate activists, including Mikaela Loach and Ayisha Siddiqa, posted videos on social media. 'Our friend Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists have just been kidnapped by Israel … aid to Gaza was stolen,' they said.
The Madleen is part of a long tradition of ships trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. In 2008, two boats from the Free Gaza Movement successfully reached Gaza. Between 2008 and 2016, 31 boats attempted to bring aid, though most were stopped by Israeli forces.
Since 2010, all similar flotillas have been intercepted or attacked, usually in international waters. Maps show where many of these ships were stopped, and some faced deadly force.
Israel says diplomats from the countries involved will be able to meet the crew members at the airport. The Madleen had citizens from Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkiye on board.
Brazil urged Israel to free the detained crew and allow humanitarian aid into Palestine, while France called for the immediate return of its six nationals.
Germany said it was in touch with Israeli authorities and offering consular help, while Spain summoned the Israeli envoy in Madrid to explain the raid.`
Turkiye said Israel's actions were a violation of international law and called it an act of terror.
Meanwhile, the UK, whose flag the ship flew, asked Israel to act with 'restraint' and follow international humanitarian law.
The Madleen's seizure has sparked global attention and renewed criticism of Israel's blockade of Gaza, whose population is in dire need of humanitarian aid. Gaza's health ministry recently said that dozens of children and elderly people had passed away due to famine.
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