It would have been easy for Greta Thunberg to become controlled opposition. Sure, she could continue to do environmental and political activism, but within the safe confines of vetted speeches, opinion pieces in newspapers, and appearing as a talking head whenever news networks need an environmentalist viewpoint.
So it’s to her immense credit that she repeatedly puts her money where her mouth is. Over the past week, she’s been the highest-profile crew member aboard the Madleen, which was on a mission to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to Gaza. The current situation in Gaza is described as beyond nightmarish: Israel is tightly restricting all aid entering the area, starving the populace, and shooting civilians queuing for the few morsels they’re allowing in.
Thunberg’s mission, aboard the Freedom Flotilla Coalition boat, was to raise awareness of this “starvation crisis”. Now, as of the early hours of this morning, Israel’s military has intercepted the Madleen and detained those on board from bringing any aid to the starving people of Gaza.
"My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden. If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel." pic.twitter.com/Ku7QILHpfd
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) June 9, 2025
Thunberg and the crew were ready for this possibility, with her releasing a pre-recorded message that says: “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters”. This is indeed the case, with Thunberg and the crew now having been transported to Israel. Their current whereabouts are unknown, as is the nature of their interrogation and internment.
“Arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately”
Human rights lawyer and Freedom Flotilla organizer Huwaida Arraf is horrified: This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade – their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Many will be overjoyed that Thunberg was prevented from delivering aid. As the trip began, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham hoped that the ship would be destroyed by Israeli forces, with his violent rhetoric echoed by many whose fondest wish is apparently to see Thunberg’s corpse floating amidst the charred wreckage of the Madleen.
We can only hope that Thunberg and the crew will be released as soon as possible. Whether this is mission accomplished for them is up for debate. On one hand, Israel has successfully stopped their mission. On the other hand, the world is now focused on their crimes against the people of Palestine and their brutal treatment of anyone who even peacefully opposes them.
Meanwhile, Thunberg’s stature only grows, and I can only salute her bravery for living up to her principles and putting herself directly in harm’s way. That’s courage.
