PARIS (BN24) — Swedish climate and human rights activist Greta Thunberg accused Israeli forces of kidnapping her and fellow pro-Palestinian demonstrators in international waters after their Gaza-bound aid vessel was intercepted and seized this week. Speaking at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris following her deportation from Israel, Thunberg said she refused to sign documents declaring that she had entered the country illegally.
Thunberg, 22, was among 12 people aboard a humanitarian ship attempting to breach Israel’s long-standing naval blockade of Gaza. The vessel was intercepted by the Israeli navy early Monday while still in international waters, according to the activist. Thunberg and the others were detained before being brought into Israeli territory, where she said they were held against their will.
“I was very clear in my testimony that we were kidnapped on international waters and brought against our own will into Israel,” Thunberg told reporters in Paris on Tuesday. “We broke no laws.”
The high-profile campaigner demanded the immediate release of the other activists still detained in Israel, emphasizing that their mission was peaceful and aimed at delivering aid to the besieged coastal enclave.
The Israeli military has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza for over a decade, citing security concerns tied to the Hamas-led government in the territory. Attempts to breach the blockade by activists and aid organizations have been routinely stopped by Israeli forces.
Thunberg’s participation in the maritime protest attracted international attention, particularly due to her global prominence as a climate and social justice advocate. Responding to a comment from U.S. President Donald Trump — who once labeled her an “angry person” — Thunberg replied with a laugh: “I think the world needs a lot more young angry women, to be honest, especially with everything going on right now.”
Thunberg landed in Paris a day after being deported from Israel. Authorities there have not publicly commented on her allegations of being taken from international waters, though they confirmed the operation was carried out near Gaza to prevent unauthorized entry into a conflict zone.
