Climate activist Greta Thunberg has sparked controversy after claiming she was “kidnapped” by Israeli forces while en route to deliver aid to war-torn Gaza.
Thunberg, along with 11 other activists, was on board the ship “Madleen,” which set sail from Sicily a week ago. The vessel, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was diverted to Israel, prompting Thunberg to appeal for help.
“If you see this video, we are being intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel,” Thunberg said, urging her friends, family, and comrades to pressure the Swedish government for her release.
However, Israeli authorities have a different version of events. According to Israel’s foreign ministry, the ship was diverted to Israel, and all passengers, including Thunberg, are safe.
The ministry released a video showing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) providing food and water to the activists, with Thunberg seen smiling and seemingly unharmed.
“The show is over,” Israel’s foreign ministry stated, adding that the “tiny amount of aid” on the yacht would be delivered to Gaza through “real humanitarian channels.”
The ministry also criticized the activists’ methods, saying, “There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies.”
They highlighted that over 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel in the past two weeks, and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed nearly 11 million meals directly to civilians.
Thunberg’s claims have sparked a heated debate about the delivery of humanitarian aid and the role of social media in such efforts. Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian origin, was also on the vessel and has been denied entry into Israel due to her outspoken criticism of Israeli policies toward Palestinians.