Greta Thunberg, detained by Israel while transporting aid to Gaza, pleads for help: 'Put pressure on the government to release us'

"I am from Sweden (...) If you see this video, we are being intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupation forces, or forces supporting Israel," began Greta Thunberg 's pre-recorded video, which was spread on social media.

The activist, who was traveling on the humanitarian aid ship Madleen with 12 other volunteers, made an urgent appeal to her friends and family to help them return to freedom.

The British-flagged ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla coalition , set sail from Sicily, Italy, seven days ago for Gaza to deliver "support, break the Israeli blockade, and highlight the ongoing suffering in the Palestinian enclave," according to activist groups.

After stating that they were being "intercepted and kidnapped," Greta Thunberg made an urgent appeal to their families : "I urge all my friends, family, and colleagues to pressure the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible," was the activist's message.

The incident occurred after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told the activist to turn back because they would not be able to reach the enclave.

"I have ordered the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) to act so that the Madleen flotilla does not reach Gaza. To the anti-Semitic Greta and her friends, I say clearly: turn around because you will not reach Gaza ," Katz said, in statements shared by his office.

On Monday, June 9, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, had written on social media minutes earlier that she had lost communication with the vessel and that "given that the Madleen was reportedly intercepted and seized by Israeli forces in international waters , the UK government must urgently request a full clarification and ensure the immediate release of the vessel and its crew."

The Freedom Flotilla coalition , in a post on X, wrote: "SOS! The 'Madleen' volunteers were kidnapped by Israeli forces. Put pressure on your foreign ministries and help us keep them safe!"

The social media posts were accompanied by video footage of messages from each of the activists on the ship's crew.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that "all passengers on the 'selfie yacht' are safe and sound. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over," the ministry's latest release stated, accompanied by a video featuring the activists.

The vessel departed the Egyptian coast on Sunday and continued its journey to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip , according to a statement from the campaign organizers.

The Israeli ministry added in a June 8 post that, "While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation solely for the purpose of gaining publicity—and which included less than a truckload of aid—more than 1,200 truckloads of aid have entered Gaza from Israel in the past two weeks. In addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed nearly 11 million meals directly to Gaza civilians."

According to the Israeli government's statement, "these are not just Instagram selfies," and it concluded that "the small amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through genuine humanitarian channels."

All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over. pic.twitter.com/tLZZYcspJO

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025

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