Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg made headlines upon her return to Sweden yesterday after being forcibly detained on international waters by Israel. She was a part of the crew of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s boat Madleen, which attempted to break Israel’s illegal blockade on the occupied Gaza Strip to supply humanitarian aid.
Since the ceasefire collapsed in Gaza, Israeli forces have escalated their attack, killing and injuring tens of thousands of civilians. The UN estimates that over 640,000 have been forcibly displaced, with people confined to an ever-shrinking space.
Gaza’s aid distribution has been described as “a death trap” by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, due to Israels attacks on civilians seeking aid.
Israel’s blockade on Gaza violates international human rights, as they heavily limit food and aid entering the occupied area. In early June, the UN reported that daily food intake has fallen well below ‘survival’ level in Gaza. The Food and Agrigulture Organization writes:
The findings reveal systemic and escalating violations of both international human rights law and international humanitarian law, particularly concerning the right to adequate food, the prohibition of starvation as a method of warfare, and the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Over a year ago, the International Court of Justice ruled that Palestinians in Gaza had plausible rights under the Genocide convention, and that these rights were at real risk of irreparable damage.
The ICJ stated that Israel should take steps to prevent genocide from occurring while these accusations continue to be investigated. In December 2024, human rights organization Amnesty International concluded that Israel has and is committing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.
Greta Thunberg, who has been designated by Amnesty International as an Ambassador of Conscience for her climate activism, has been verbally attacked and threatened for her participation in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s attempt to break Israel’s seige on Gaza.
On Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter), sitting U.S. Senator and ally to President Trump, Lindsey Graham, posted a photo of Greta aboard Madleen with the caption “Hope Greta and her friends can swim!”. On the same platform, Israel’s official account has called the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s boat the “selfie-yacht”.
Israel has previously attacked boats part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and intercepted the Madleen on international waters and detained its crew earlier this week. Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said:
“By forcibly intercepting and blocking the Madleen which was carrying humanitarian aid and a crew of solidarity activists, Israel has once again flouted its legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip and demonstrated its chilling contempt for legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice.”
Greta’s fear is people’s silence during an ongoing genocide.
Leaders in the Swedish government have criticized participants of the Madleen of taking immense risks that they have dissuaded from. Ebba Busch, Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, calls Greta an attention seeker, saying that she is making this about herself rather than shining a light on Gaza. This criticism follows Israel’s line of discrediting public figures that speak out on Gaza and the rights of Palestinians in the West Bank. This criticism is also hypocritical, coming from a government that has done very little to stand up for the rights of Palestinians in Gaza – despite ICJ’s call for action.
Greta Thunberg’s participation on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla has created much needed attention for the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. When landing in Stockholm after being deported from Israel, she was met by cheering crowds and applause.
To reporters at the airport, Greta said that her “kidnapping” is nothing compared to what Palestinians have to endure. When asked if she was afraid, she responded that her fear is people’s silence during an ongoing genocide – and that that silence speaks of racism and complicity. She criticized the Swedish government and other nations that are not doing enough, although they – according to the Genocide convention – have a responsibility to act when there is a risk of genocide.
Greta explained that she’s most worried about the continued development of the crisis in Gaza, the crimes against humanity that we’re witnessing and the war crimes that Israel is guilty of.
“We shouldn’t need to go on these missions to deliver life-saving aid to Gaza” Greta explained at Arlanda airport, while members of the crowd called out “We love you Greta!”
Greta’s actions should be an encouragement to all of us – and perhaps especially to leaders and governments – to break the silence and act in any way we can. It is not only right, it is our responsibility.
The crew of the Madleen have been illegally detained and some deported. Some crew members are still detained in Israel.
