The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that 161 out of 171 participants in the “Global Solidarity Fleet,” which was carrying aid to Gaza, have arrived at Athens International Airport on Monday afternoon after being deported by Israel.
Earlier the same day, Israel revealed that it had expelled 171 activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, following an interception of their fleet by Israeli naval forces while they were attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza.
In a brief statement, the Greek Ministry confirmed that a “chartered flight” landed in Athens, carrying “27 Greek citizens who took part in the Global Solidarity Fleet” along with 134 “citizens from 15 European nations.”
Upon their arrival, Thunberg and others were welcomed by Palestinian supporters at Athens International Airport, where a large Palestinian flag was raised in the arrivals hall amid chants of “Free Palestine” and “Long live the fleet.”
Thunberg expressed her sentiments upon arrival, waving a Palestinian scarf and raising her fist, stating that the “Global Solidarity Fleet,” which departed from Barcelona in early September, represented the largest maritime effort to break the illegal and inhumane blockade imposed by Israel.
She further asserted that nations are “legally obligated to act to prevent and stop genocide,” criticizing government inaction that fails to meet even the minimal necessary standards to halt what she termed “genocide.”
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned that those deported held citizenship from various countries, including Greece, Italy, France, the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Last month, the fleet, consisting of over 40 ships, set sail towards Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, as the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory has deteriorated due to the ongoing conflict for the past two years. However, Israeli naval forces intercepted the fleet, detaining more than 400 individuals on board and commencing their deportation starting from Friday.