Greta Thunberg Returns to Sweden After Deportation from Israel

Greta Thunberg is back in Sweden. At Arlanda she was received with applause and a gathering of people with Palestinian flags – after being deported from Israel. I said that I wanted to leave the country as soon as possible. But I said that we were taken there in an illegal way against our will, says Thunberg.

» Published: June 10 2025

Greta Thunberg Returns to Sweden After Deportation from Israel
Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

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Greta Thunberg has flown to Sweden from Israel via a stopover in France.

When asked how it feels to be home, Thunberg replies:

I feel most concerned about the continued development, war crimes and atrocities committed by Israel.

She was asked if she was scared when the boat was boarded.

What I am afraid of is that people are silent during an ongoing genocide, Thunberg replies.

Concerned for the others

When TT asks how she thinks about the activists who are still in Israel, Thunberg replies:

I am very concerned about them, of course.

I have not been in contact with them and I had to leave before I could say goodbye.

In a clip that the organization behind the voyage, Freedom Flotilla, published on X, Thunberg urged all her "friends, family and comrades" to put pressure on the Swedish government to get her and the others free as soon as possible – which caused a large number of calls to the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

This thought Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) was irresponsible.

Is it not our democratic right? Thunberg replies when she is asked about Malmer Stenergard's criticism.

Thunberg becomes visibly irritated when she is asked repeated questions about the flight home to Sweden, referring to her climate activism.

That was not the focus of this mission.

She is also asked if she will try to get to Gaza again, and lets it be known that a new attempt will be made via land. When asked if she will participate, she replies:

What I know now is that I need to take a shower.

Emergency aid to Gaza

Thunberg and eleven other activists were on their way to the Gaza Strip with a ship carrying emergency aid when their ship was boarded by Israel on international waters during the night leading up to Monday.

After 20 hours in detention, the activists were taken to Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv where they were interrogated.

Four of the activists, including Thunberg, have signed deportation documents. The remaining eight refused to sign and are still in Israel waiting for their deportation to be approved in court.

All twelve activists have, according to a press release from Freedom Flotilla, denied Israel's claims that they entered the country illegally.

All activists protest against Israel's intervention, which the organization calls politically motivated and in conflict with international law.

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By TTTranslated and adapted by Sweden Herald
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