Greta Thunberg, the Swedish activist, received a warm welcome from pro-Palestinian supporters in Greece on Monday after being deported by Israel along with hundreds of other activists following their attempt to deliver aid to Gaza. Israel confirmed the expulsion of 171 activists, including Thunberg, bringing the total number of deportees to 341 out of the 479 individuals detained during the interception of the flotilla aiming to break the naval blockade of Gaza.
According to the Greek Foreign Ministry, 161 activists, including Thunberg and 27 Greek nationals, as well as citizens from around 20 other countries, arrived in Athens on Monday. Thunberg addressed the crowd at the Athens airport, condemning what she called a genocide in Gaza and criticizing the failure of international systems to protect Palestinians from war crimes.
Israel has refuted claims of genocide in Gaza and downplayed reports of hunger in the region, dismissing the flotilla as a publicity stunt for Hamas. Ottawa has confirmed the impending release of three Canadians detained on the flotilla vessel. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that Global Affairs Canada is providing consular assistance, and the Canadians are in the process of being released.
Deportees hail from various countries including Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Norway, the U.K., Serbia, and the U.S., as reported by the Israeli foreign ministry.
Upon their return, some members of the flotilla alleged mistreatment, including sleep deprivation, lack of food and water, physical abuse, and confinement in cages. The Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson denied these allegations. Spanish activists also claimed mistreatment upon their arrival in Spain, with reports of physical abuse and humiliation during detention.
Israel has vehemently denied mistreatment of detainees, stating that all individuals were provided with essential amenities, legal rights, and access to legal counsel. The Swiss Embassy in Tel Aviv reported that Swiss nationals were in relatively good health, given the circumstances.
Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, who was part of the flotilla, acknowledged some mistreatment but emphasized that it paled in comparison to the daily suffering of the Palestinian people. Spanish journalists revealed that Israeli authorities coerced deported activists to sign documents in Hebrew, barring them from consular assistance and legal representation.
Consular officials have visited the detained activists in prison, as confirmed by statements from various countries representing those detained.
