Greta Thunberg and 70 Other Activists to Be Deported From Israel on Monday

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is set to be deported from Israel on Monday, October 6, 2025, following her detention last week as part of the "Global Sumud Flotilla" that attempted to breach the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. A flight carrying Thunberg and approximately 70 other international activists is scheduled to depart from Ramon Airport in southern Israel and land in Athens, Greece, where the deportees can arrange travel to their home countries. The group includes 28 French, 27 Greek, 15 Italian, and nine Swedish nationals whose repatriation has been coordinated by their respective governments.

jpost.com reported, The activists were among more than 470 people detained after the Israeli Navy intercepted their 42-vessel flotilla in international waters beginning on Wednesday. The flotilla's stated mission was to deliver a symbolic quantity of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which the United Nations has stated is experiencing famine, a claim Israel rejects.

The detentions and planned deportations have sparked a significant international controversy, fueled by widespread allegations of mistreatment from activists and their legal representatives. Detainees, held in facilities including Ketziot prison, have reported being denied adequate food, water, and essential medical care. Thunberg herself communicated to Swedish Embassy officials that she was suffering from dehydration and was being held in a cell she suspected was infested with bedbugs, causing rashes.

timesofisrael.com noted, Other activists have made more severe allegations, including being forced to kneel for hours, being subjected to physical and psychological humiliation, and having their belongings confiscated. Israel's Foreign Ministry has categorically denied these accusations, labeling them "brazen lies" and insisting that all detainees' legal rights have been fully upheld in accordance with international law.

The situation was further complicated when a Spanish activist reportedly bit a medical staff member at the prison on Sunday, delaying her deportation.

• Background Context: The "Global Sumud Flotilla" is the latest in a series of attempts by international activists to challenge Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, which was imposed in 2009. Previous efforts in 2010, 2015, 2018, and earlier in 2025 were also intercepted by Israeli forces, leading to detentions and international incidents.
• The activists state their goal is to deliver humanitarian aid and highlight the right of Palestinians to control their territorial waters. Israel maintains the blockade is a legal and necessary security measure to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.
• Key Stakeholders and Positions: The primary stakeholders are the flotilla activists, including high-profile figures like Greta Thunberg, who aim to break the blockade. The Israeli government, through its Navy, Foreign Ministry, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, has defended the interception as lawful and necessary.
• The home countries of the activists, such as Sweden, France, Greece, and Italy, have been diplomatically involved in securing the release and deportation of their citizens. Legal aid organizations like Adalah are representing the detainees, alleging rights violations, which Israeli authorities deny.
• Allegations of Mistreatment: Numerous deported activists have described harsh conditions during their detention. Specific claims include being denied medicine, drinking water from toilets, and being subjected to intimidation, such as having laser sights pointed at them.
• Several activists reported being forced to kneel for hours with their hands zip-tied. Israel's Foreign Ministry has called the allegations "complete lies," stating that all detainees were given access to food, water, legal counsel, and medical care.
• Thunberg's Specific Allegations: Beyond the general claims of poor conditions, several eyewitnesses have made specific allegations about the treatment of Greta Thunberg. Turkish journalist Ersin Celik claimed he saw Israeli forces drag Thunberg by her hair and force her to kiss an Israeli flag.
• Another journalist, Lorenzo D'Agostino, stated she was "humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag and exhibited like a trophy." The Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed Thunberg reported being held in a bedbug-infested cell with insufficient food and water. Israeli officials have dismissed these accounts as "ludicrous and baseless allegations."
• Incident with Spanish Activist: The deportation process was complicated by an incident on Sunday involving a Spanish activist, identified as Reyes Rigo Serviá. According to the Israel Prison Service, she bit a female medical staff member during a routine examination ahead of her planned deportation.
• The staff member received treatment for minor injuries, and police were called to handle the situation, leading to the activist's detention being extended while the incident is investigated.
• Timeline of Events: The Israeli Navy began intercepting the 42-vessel flotilla in international waters on Wednesday. Over 470 activists were detained and transported to Israel.
• By Saturday, 137 activists had been deported to Turkey. On Sunday, another group of 21 Spanish nationals was repatriated. The largest remaining group, including Thunberg and about 70 others, is scheduled for deportation to Greece on Monday, October 6, 2025.
• International and Legal Response: The governments of France, Greece, Italy, and Sweden confirmed their involvement in arranging the deportation flights for their citizens. Greece issued a "strong written protest" to Israel over the incident.
• The legal aid group Adalah reported that activists, including Thunberg, had limited access to lawyers after their initial processing. Israel's Foreign Ministry countered that some detainees chose to prolong the legal process rather than accept voluntary deportation.
• Political Implications: The interception of the flotilla and the detention of a globally recognized figure like Greta Thunberg have reignited the international debate surrounding Israel's Gaza blockade. The incident has drawn condemnation from several governments and generated widespread media coverage, focusing on both the legality of the blockade and the treatment of the detained activists.
• National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir publicly stated he was "proud" of the harsh conditions, saying the activists deserved to be treated like terrorists, further intensifying the controversy.