Swedish climate and human rights activist Greta Thunberg received a rousing welcome in Athens on Monday after being deported from Israel along with hundreds of other pro-Palestinian activists captured while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
Israel said it expelled 171 activists, including Thunberg, bringing the total number deported to 341 of the 479 detained last week when Israeli naval forces intercepted the “Global Sumud Flotilla” en route to Gaza.
The activists had set sail on dozens of vessels to deliver humanitarian supplies and draw attention to Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
The Greek Foreign Ministry confirmed that 161 deportees, including Thunberg, arrived in Athens on Monday aboard a chartered flight from Tel Aviv. Among them were 27 Greeks and citizens from nearly 20 other countries.
“Let me be very clear. There is a genocide going on,” the 22-year-old Thunberg told cheering supporters at Athens International Airport.
“Our international systems are betraying Palestinians. What we aimed to do with the Global Sumud Flotilla was to step up when our governments failed to meet their legal obligations.”
Israel has denied accusations of genocide and dismissed the flotilla as a “publicity stunt” benefiting Hamas. It said claims of starvation in Gaza were exaggerated and accused Thunberg of repeatedly attempting to breach its naval blockade, recalling that she had been detained at sea in a similar attempt in June.
Several activists deported to Switzerland and Spain have alleged mistreatment during their detention, including being beaten, deprived of food and water, and confined in cages.
“They beat us, dragged us along the ground, blindfolded us, tied our hands and feet, and insulted us,” Spanish lawyer Rafael Borrego told reporters in Madrid.
Swedish participants claimed Thunberg was shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag, while others said their medication and belongings were confiscated. Thunberg said she would not dwell on her treatment, emphasizing instead Israel’s continued blockade.
“Israel once again violated international law by preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza while people are being starved,” she said.
Israel’s foreign ministry rejected all allegations of abuse as “complete lies,” insisting detainees were provided food, water, and access to legal counsel.
The Swiss Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed it had visited 10 detained Swiss nationals and said they were “in relatively good health given the circumstances.”
Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, who was also aboard the flotilla, said while some mistreatment occurred, “it was nothing compared to what the Palestinian people suffer every day.”
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
