Activist Greta Thunberg has returned home to Sweden after being deported from Israel, where she condemned the country for its “violations of international law and war crimes” in Gaza.
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Thunberg was detained after Israeli security forces intercepted a boat carrying her and eleven other activists, who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in an effort to challenge the Israeli blockade. “What I feel most is concern for the continued violations of international law and war crimes that Israel is guilty of,” she stated during a recent press briefing.
Upon her arrival at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport shortly after 10:30 PM local time (9:30 PM Irish time), Ms. Thunberg was welcomed by approximately 30 supporters waving Palestinian flags, alongside a substantial media presence. Earlier, during a brief stop in Paris, she further expressed her frustration, accusing Israel of “kidnapping” her and her fellow activists.
In her remarks, Thunberg accused Israel of committing “systematic genocide” and implementing “systematic starvation of over two million people” in Gaza. This claim echoes sentiments from various human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which have leveled similar accusations against Israel. However, Israel firmly rejects these characterizations.
Ms. Thunberg’s call to action was clear: “We must act, we must demand that our government acts, and we must act ourselves when our complicit governments do not step up,” she urged, reinforcing the need for global accountability.
Thunberg initially gained international attention as a schoolgirl activist advocating against climate change, and she has made a conscious effort to minimize her carbon footprint, including traveling across the Atlantic by sailboat on two occasions. When reporters inquired about her plane travel, she responded, “Why are you asking about that?” reflecting her commitment to environmentalism.
All twelve activists aboard the aid vessel have received a 100-year ban from entering Israel, according to the rights group that represents some of the detained individuals. Of the twelve on the Madleen, which was carrying food and supplies for Gaza, eight were taken into custody after refusing to leave Israel voluntarily, while four, including Ms. Thunberg, were deported.
In the broader context, the ongoing conflict has intensified since the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of 1,219 individuals in Israel, predominantly civilians, based on a report by AFP. Conversely, the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reports at least 54,981 fatalities, mostly civilians, since the onset of hostilities, a figure the United Nations has deemed reliable. Out of the 251 individuals taken hostage during the Hamas assault, 54 remain in Gaza, including 32 the Israeli military claims are deceased.
As Greta Thunberg navigates these turbulent waters, her unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes and environmental issues remains a focal point of her activism.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
