Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and her fellow “Sumud Flotilla” participants arrived in Greece on Monday after being released from Israeli detention. A special repatriation flight carrying over a hundred activists landed at Athens International Airport in the afternoon, where hundreds of supporters gathered to welcome them with cheers and applause.
In a brief speech, the 22-year-old Thunberg described the Global Sumud Flotilla as “the largest maritime effort in history against Israel’s illegal and inhumane blockade.” She added, “It is a deep shame that such missions are still necessary for the sake of humanity,” calling on the world to take immediate action to stop the ongoing genocide.
Thunberg accused most world governments of failing to act meaningfully in response to the crisis. Several flotilla members reported that they were subjected to abuse while in Israeli custody. French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan claimed she was physically assaulted during her arrest and held in inhumane conditions.
Another flotilla committee member, Yasmin Akar, also alleged that detainees were treated like animals, deprived of food, water, and rest during the first 48 hours of their detention.
The Israeli authorities, however, have denied all allegations. According to Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday’s special flight brought back 161 activists, including 27 Greek nationals and participants from 15 European countries. Israel confirmed that a total of 171 detainees had been repatriated to Greece and Slovakia.
The Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs also verified that one of its citizens, along with nine activists from the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States, had landed safely in Slovakia.
According to Israeli police, more than 470 activists were detained during the flotilla operation, and 138 remain in custody.
Source: AFP.