Greta Thunberg Celebrated in Athens After Expulsion from Israel

Greta Thunberg arrived in Athens, Greece, on October 14, 2023, alongside fellow activists expelled from Israel after their attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The group, which included 160 people, was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a maritime initiative aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade of the territory. Upon landing at Athens International Airport, they were met with a warm welcome from supporters who rallied to greet them.

Thunberg, a prominent climate activist, described the flotilla as “the biggest ever attempt to break Israel’s illegal and inhumane siege by sea.” She expressed disappointment that such missions are necessary, urging global leaders to take immediate action to prevent what she termed Israel’s “genocide” against the Palestinian people. Activists in the arrivals area displayed a large Palestinian flag and chanted slogans including “Freedom for Palestine” and “Long live the flotilla!”

Accounts of Mistreatment and Detention

Among those landing in Greece was Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament, who reported being physically assaulted by Israeli police during her detention. “I was beaten by two police officers when they put me in the van,” she told AFP. Hassan, along with other detainees, described their conditions in Israeli detention, stating they were held in overcrowded cells and faced inadequate care, including a lack of food and clean water.

Another activist, Yasmin Acar, who served on the flotilla’s steering committee, echoed these claims. She stated, “We were treated like animals and terrorists. We were physically assaulted, we were deprived of sleep.” Acar’s account highlighted the severe conditions faced by activists during their detention, with no food or water provided for the first 48 hours.

Israeli authorities have denied allegations of mistreatment, asserting that the claims are unfounded. The Israeli foreign ministry stated that the flotilla was an extension of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, and that the boats violated a prohibited zone. They also mentioned that over 470 individuals aboard the flotilla were arrested, with 138 participants still in detention in Israel as of the latest reports.

Details of the Flotilla’s Journey and Repatriation

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona, Spain, in early September, aiming to deliver aid to Gaza. It was intercepted by the Israeli navy off the coast of Egypt last week. The Greek foreign ministry confirmed that a special repatriation flight returned 27 Greek nationals and 134 individuals from various European countries.

Israel’s foreign ministry reported that a total of 171 activists were deported to Greece and Slovakia, with confirmation that one Slovak national had returned home, along with individuals from the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States.

As the activists seek to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza, the incident underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding humanitarian efforts in the region. The flotilla’s mission, rooted in calls for justice and solidarity, has sparked significant debate about the nature of international aid, human rights, and the responsibilities of governments worldwide.