Greta Thunberg welcomed in Athens after Gaza flotilla deportation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 08:58

Greta Thunberg and dozens of Gaza aid flotilla activists abducted by "Israel" arrive in Athens after the occupation forcibly stopped their humanitarian mission.

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Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg raises her fist upon arrival alongside activists who were sailing aboard vessels from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla before being stopped and detained by Israeli forces, greeted by a crowd of supporters, at the arrivals area of Athens International Airport on October 6, 2025. (AFP)

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg received a warm welcome from a cheering pro-Palestinian crowd upon arriving in Athens on Monday. The 22-year-old was among hundreds of international activists who were deported by "Israel" after participating in the Gaza aid flotilla, which aimed to break the illegal blockade imposed on the besieged Palestinian enclave.

The Greek Foreign Ministry confirmed that 161 activists arrived on a flight to Athens, including Thunberg, 27 Greek nationals, and citizens from nearly 20 other countries.

"Israel" said on Monday that it had expelled 171 activists, including Thunberg, raising the total number of deported individuals to 341 out of the 479 detained during the Israeli occupation's illegal boarding of the flotilla. The activists had been attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and highlight the conditions faced by its 2.2 million residents under the blockade.

The flotilla consisted of numerous vessels, organized as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla campaign, and sought to challenge international inaction regarding the situation in Palestine.

Activists allege mistreatment during Israeli detention

Following her arrival, Thunberg addressed the crowd at Athens airport, condemning the genocide in Gaza.

"Let me be very clear. There is a genocide going on," she said. "Our international systems are betraying Palestinians. They are not even able to prevent the worst war crimes from happening."

She stated that the flotilla's aim was to "step up when our governments failed to do their legal obligation." Thunberg also mentioned her detention, but emphasized that the broader story was the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Thunberg continued, "What happened here was that Israel... once again violated international law by preventing humanitarian aid from getting into Gaza while people are being starved."

Greta Thunberg in Greece:

I could talk for a very, very long time about our mistreatment and abuses in our imprisonment. Trust me, but that is not the story.

Israel is escalating genocide and mass destruction with genocidal intent, attempting to erase an entire population in… pic.twitter.com/nhpDtCXmiK
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@GlobalSumud) October 6, 2025

Swiss and Spanish activists describe abuses

Several flotilla participants, including Swiss and Spanish nationals, have alleged mistreatment during Israeli detention. Swiss activists reported sleep deprivation, lack of water and food, beatings, and being locked in cages after being held at the Ktzi'ot prison.

Spanish lawyer Rafael Borrego, speaking at Madrid’s airport after his deportation, said, "They beat us, dragged us along the ground, blindfolded us, tied our hands and feet, put us in cages and insulted us."

Swedish activists also claimed that Thunberg was shoved and forced to wear an "Israeli" flag during detention. Some reported having clean food and water withheld, while others said medication and personal belongings were confiscated.

Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, also part of the flotilla, acknowledged instances of mistreatment but emphasized the disparity between the activists' experience and the suffering endured by Palestinians. "There had been mistreatment, but that was nothing compared to what the Palestinian people suffer every day."