Greta Thunberg has been detained in Israel and is currently being held in a jail cell after boarding an aid boat bound for Gaza, it has been confirmed. The 22-year-old climate activist is due to appear in court on Tuesday for allegedly entering the country illegally, according to her legal team.
Thunberg was among a dozen activists who boarded the Madleen, a humanitarian vessel attempting to deliver aid to the besieged enclave, before the boat was intercepted by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and forced to dock at Ashdod Port on Monday night.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that the Madleen arrived at the port around 10pm local time, and that its passengers were “promptly sent off for medical examinations.”
Thunberg and the other activists are now facing proceedings in a court typically reserved for cases involving “illegal immigrants,” according to her lawyer Nariman Shehade Zoabi.
“We demand information about the whereabouts of our clients and the right to meet them,” said Shehade Zoabi.
The legal rights group Adalah, representing the detained activists, has also demanded immediate access to those on board the Madleen before any potential deportation can be carried out.
In a statement issued late on Monday night, the group said:
“Adalah just received confirmation (9 June at 10 PM Jerusalem time) that all volunteers are currently being held at Ashdod Port, where they are undergoing processing before being handed over to immigration authorities.
“Unless they agree to leave immediately, they will be transferred to the detention facility in Ramleh. While authorities have indicated that those who consent to deportation may be allowed to fly out from Tel Aviv tonight, it’s unclear what conditions—such as signing documents or waiving rights—may be imposed.
“Adalah will be demanding access to the volunteers before any transfer or departure is carried out.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump took aim at Thunberg during his Invest America Roundtable on Monday, ridiculing her attempt to reach Gaza by sea and once again criticising her personality.
“Well, she’s a strange person. She’s a young, angry person. I don’t know if it’s real anger — it’s hard to believe, actually,” Trump said. “I saw what happened. She’s certainly different.”“She should go to anger management class,” he added.
Thunberg’s fate remains unclear as she awaits her court appearance, with supporters and human rights groups calling for full transparency and legal access.