Israel Blocks Greta Thunberg’s High-Seas Stunt

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

Israeli forces intercepted and detained climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other pro-Palestine devotees aboard the boat Madleen early Monday as they attempted to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.

The so-called Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel, which departed from Sicily on June 1, was carrying what Israeli officials described as "less than a single truckload of aid" when it was boarded by Israeli commandos approximately 55 nautical miles from Israeli waters.

Israel's Foreign Ministry dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt and is now sending the activists back to their home countries.

_THE FACTS_

• Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen around 3 AM after the activists defied multiple warnings to turn back.

• The crew of 12 included the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Irish “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham, and EU Parliament Member Rima Hassan.

• Israel's Foreign Ministry termed the vessel a "publicity yacht" while providing food and water to those aboard.

• In a video of the crew, a voice can be heard saying, “Ditch your phones … phones in the water.” Moments later, multiple electronic devices were tossed overboard.

• Thunberg released a pre-recorded video claiming she was "kidnapped" by Israeli forces.

• President Donald Trump disagreed with the framing of it as a kidnapping, saying Israel had “enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg,” and added that she should seek “anger management.”

• Israeli Defense Minister Katz instructed officials to show activists footage of the October 7 Hamas attack upon arrival.

• Thunberg was deported from Israel and, as of this writing, is being sent back to her native Sweden.

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