Greta Thunberg laid Israeli propaganda bare: Israeli media
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Haaretz sharply criticizes “Israel’s” response to the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, calling it a display of arrogance, misogyny, and political blindness.
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Climate activist Greta Thunberg, center, waits to board the Madleen boat, before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, on June 1, 2025. (AP)
The Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, sharply criticized "Israel’s" reaction to the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and the participation of environmental activist Greta Thunberg, stating that the outcome made "Israel look more stupid than ever."
The newspaper accused Israeli officials and media of "arrogance, racism, and political short-sightedness" in their handling of the activist’s involvement, adding that "for the arrogant, misogynistic, racist, and ruthless Israelis, none of this matters,” as it denounced the attacks on Thunberg while ignoring the core humanitarian message of the flotilla.
The publication condemned the reduction of the entire flotilla initiative to a debate about Thunberg’s personal identity, her age, gender, environmental activism, and autism, rather than the motivations behind the mission. It criticized the dismissal of the flotilla’s purpose: to draw attention to the siege on Gaza and the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
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“Instead of addressing the fundamental reasons that prompted the flotilla to set sail... the discussion has been limited to Thunberg,” the piece stated.
The article also rebuked the occupied al-Quds Municipality for posting, and later deleting, a photo of Thunberg receiving cookies from a soldier while a fire raged near the city’s largest hospital.
A widely followed Israeli Instagram account added insult to injury, mocking her with the caption, "Greta, a heartfelt piece of advice: leave the Middle East. You're a Swedish girl who looks like a waitress in a hipster cafe in Tel Aviv."
Focus on Thunberg distracts from Gaza blockade
The Israeli newspaper described the wave of mockery and official statements as "a farce of stupidity and arrogance," noting that government institutions and media celebrated Thunberg’s detainment and deportation rather than discussing the flotilla’s legal and moral implications. It sharply criticized the Israeli Foreign Ministry for referring to the vessel as a "selfie yacht" while dismissing global concerns.
"You are the joke," the article said, defending Thunberg as a globally respected activist who has inspired millions of youth. It highlighted her commitment, noting that she risked her safety by sailing thousands of kilometers under difficult conditions, while Israeli youth were invading Gaza homes "with a spirit of killing and occupation."
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The article emphasized the flotilla’s intended message: lift the siege on Gaza, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, stop the war, and end the killing of tens of thousands. It underscored the 17-year blockade that has restricted the movement of people and goods and warned of the humanitarian disaster that has worsened over the past 20 months.
The piece described the situation as "a humanitarian tragedy of biblical proportions," where tens of thousands have been killed, hundreds of thousands have been wounded, and entire families have been displaced in a besieged territory deprived of food and medicine.
Call to lift the siege, stop the war
The article likened the Israeli army to “the most brutal traffic police in the world,” claiming that its limited aid efforts, coordinated through US funding, are poorly managed and fail to meet the needs of a starving population.
Aid queues, the article noted, have often become lethal, as civilians are exposed to sniper fire while waiting for food.
Mocking official responses, the newspaper criticized army spokesperson Avi Dafrin and others for offering empty reassurances while continuing to deny the extent of the crisis.
The news piece emphasized that the international community, and especially “Israel”, should heed the message of the flotilla: end the blockade, allow humanitarian aid to flow freely, and halt the war on Gaza.
Eight Gaza flotilla activists under Israeli detention
It is worth noting that Environmental activist Greta Thunberg was deported from “Israel” on Tuesday, a day after the Israeli navy hijacked a British-flagged boat attempting to break the naval blockade on Gaza.
The vessel, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying humanitarian aid and aimed to raise awareness about the worsening crisis in the Strip.
Twelve activists aboard the Madleen boat, including Thunberg and a member of the European Parliament, were detained by Israeli occupation forces.
Four, including Thunberg, were transported to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Thunberg left the occupied territories via a connecting flight through France. The ministry shared a photo of the Swedish activist aboard the plane on social media.
Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel issued a statement barring all flotilla participants from entering “Israel,” calling the operation a threat to Israeli "sovereignty".
While four activists signed deportation papers, eight others have refused and remain in detention. Among them is French MEP Rima Hassan, previously denied entry over her support for boycotts against the Israeli occupation. The eight are expected to appear before an Israeli tribunal to contest their removal.
