Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has claimed that she had been “abducted” by Israeli forces after the navy intercepted her flotilla of vessels attempting to breach the blockade around Gaza.
“My name is Greta Thunberg. I’m a citizen of Sweden,” Thunberg said in a video shared to X.
“If you are watching this video, I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces.
“Our humanitarian mission was non-violent, and abiding by international law.
“Please tell my government to demand my and the others’ immediate release.”
WATCH:
The 21-year-old activist was among hundreds of people on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of nearly 50 boats carrying more than 500 activists, aid workers, and political figures.
The flotilla included American actress Susan Sarandon and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela.
Organizers said at least 19 vessels, including the Sirius, Alma, and Adara, were boarded by Israeli naval forces about 70 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast on Wednesday evening.
The flotilla’s live tracking systems and cameras were reportedly disabled during the operation.
Footage released by Israel’s Foreign Ministry showed Thunberg collecting her belongings, putting on a white coat and a green frog hat as she was escorted off a vessel by naval personnel.
Israeli officials confirmed that the navy contacted the flotilla beforehand, warning them that they were approaching “an active combat zone” and offering to transfer aid through established land crossings instead.
Activists aboard accused Israel of intimidation.
Lisi Proença, who was on the Sirius, said two Israeli warships circled their vessels and jammed communications the night before the boarding.
“It was an intimidation act,” she said.
“They wanted us to see them.”
Greg Stoker, an American veteran sailing with the flotilla, posted a video in which he claimed a dozen Israeli naval vessels with their transponders off ordered the boats to shut down engines or face seizure.
“They are currently hailing our vessels, telling us to turn off our engines and await further instructions or our boats will be seized and we will face the consequences,” Stoker said.
The flotilla set sail from Barcelona a month ago, vowing to press forward despite repeated warnings from Israeli officials.
Organizers said they were attempting a “peaceful mission” to deliver supplies to Gaza.
Israeli authorities said the ships had entered a restricted area where previous flotilla attempts had been blocked.
They reiterated that humanitarian aid would be allowed into Gaza through official land routes but not by sea.
Thunberg, who has long tied her climate activism to left-wing causes, including pro-Hamas activism, was previously deported by Israel in June after her ship, the Madleen, was stopped by the military.
The confrontation underscores ongoing tensions as activists continue to test Israel’s blockade of Gaza, a blockade Israel argues is critical to preventing weapons smuggling.
Pro-Hamas groups claim the blockade constitutes a humanitarian crisis.
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