Greta Thunberg says Israeli forces abducted her during Gaza aid flotilla mission: Video
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has claimed she was abducted by Israeli forces while taking part in a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to Gaza, after her vessel was intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean.
In a video recorded and now circulating online, Thunberg said, “My name is Greta Thunberg. I'm a citizen of Sweden. If you are watching this video, I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces. Our humanitarian mission was nonviolent and abiding by international law. Please tell my government to demand my and the others' immediate release.”
Thunberg was among activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which said it was attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. The group warned earlier that it was sailing into a “high-risk area” about 150 nautical miles off Gaza before contact was lost.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla, calling it a “violation of international law” and urging international pressure for the release of those detained.
Israel, however, described the mission as a “political provocation”, defending the blockade as lawful under international maritime rules and claiming some participants had ties to Hamas, an accusation the organisers strongly denied.
Flotilla missions have repeatedly tried to challenge Israel’s naval blockade since 2008. Most have been intercepted, including the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, in which ten Turkish activists were killed by Israeli commandos, sparking global outcry.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
