Activists Refusing to Leave Israel After Flotilla Raid

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, anti-Israel activists from the Gaza-bound flotilla were brought to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation, following the interception of their yacht, the “Madeleine,” off the coast of Ashdod. Several passengers have refused to sign voluntary exit documents, raising the possibility that they will be detained and removed through a legal process.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the transfer of the protesters, referring to them as passengers on “the selfie yacht.” The ministry stated that while some would likely depart within hours, those resisting deportation would face judicial procedures to authorize their expulsion under Israeli law. Officials expressed hope that consular representatives present at the airport would persuade them to leave peacefully.

The activists, who claimed to be delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and breaking the blockade, had spent nearly a full day at sea before the Israeli Navy boarded their vessel. A video released by the ministry showed climate activist Greta Thunberg at the Ashdod port with Israeli flags visible in the background.

Defense Minister Israel Katz had initially ordered the activists be shown footage of the October 7 Hamas massacre. However, he later reported that the group, including Thunberg, refused to watch the material after realizing its contents. “They closed their eyes to the truth,” Katz said, “choosing to sympathize with the murderers instead of the victims.”

Sweden, Thunberg’s home country, declined her request for diplomatic assistance. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated that Thunberg bore responsibility for ignoring travel advisories. “If she genuinely needs help, we will offer it, as we would for any citizen,” she clarified.

At the White House, President Donald Trump was asked about Thunberg’s involvement and responded dismissively. “She’s a strange person. Young and angry. I don’t know if the anger is real; but she’s definitely unusual,” he said. “I think she needs anger management training.”

Regarding her claim of being kidnapped by Israel, Trump remarked: “I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg.”