Famous faces have been responding after Greta Thunberg and other pro-Palestine activists were detained by Israeli authorities when trying to deliver food and medical supplies to Gaza.

Thunberg shared news of the campaign in a video update on June 2 that saw her wear a Fontaines D.C. charity shirt and raise awareness for the ‘Freedom Flotilla‘ trip – which would see her and 11 other campaigners set sail for Gaza in an attempt to “break Israel’s siege”.

The boat, called Madleen, was operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition group (FFC) and departed from Italy at the start of the month. It set sail in an attempt to deliver food and medical supplies to those in the city, as well as raise “international awareness” of the humanitarian crisis amid the conflict with Israel.

This morning (June 9), an update was shared from the FFC, claiming that Israel had “forcibly intercepted” the boat and acted with “total impunity”.

As per an update from The Guardian, around 3am CET, the Madleen was “unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.”

Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser, shared: “Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”

It was also shared that Spain’s foreign ministry had summoned an Israeli diplomat in protest of the boat’s interception, and that a meeting about it is expected to go ahead later today.

One of the activists, a Spanish citizen called Sergio Toribio, shared a pre-recorded video online which saw him hold up his passport and say: “If you are seeing this video, we have been intercepted at sea and I have been kidnapped by Israeli occupation forces, or forces of a country complicit in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.

“I appeal to all my comrades, friends and family to put pressure on the Spanish government to demand my release as soon as possible.”

Speaking to El País, a source from the foreign ministry said: “The foreign ministry is in contact with the Spaniard in question, with his family and with the Israeli foreign ministry, and is exercising consular protection with regard to our citizen.”

Responding to the interception of the boat delivering aid to Gaza, Cat Power shared an update on Instagram pushing for the release of Thunberg and co. “We demand the immediate release of all 12 hostages taken by Israel in violation of international law,” the singer shared in the caption, before listing out the names of those who were onboard the Madleen. “THE WORLD MUST ACT NOW. THIS IS A CRISIS.”

Nadine Shah also shared a video made by another activist on the Madleen, which said: “This is not the world you want to leave behind to your children. When you look into the faces of your children, know there are children in Gaza, the same age, and they have the same rights. They have the right to live in dignity, they have the right to live free. They have the right to just live.

“Do everything in your power, keep your eyes on us and remember why we are here. You need to do the real work, and that is to stop your government from sending weapons to Israel to commit these war crimes [and] atrocities.”

Shah’s caption simply read: “Solidarity to all onboard of @gazafreedomflotilla ✊🏽🇵🇸”.

Garbage reshared a post that called for “the release of all involved immediately,” and before then posted an update with the caption: “All eyes on the @gazafreedomflotilla .
Let aid in. What is happening to the Palestinians is monstrous. How many more dead children do we have to see before the world acts?!?”

Warpaint guitarist and singer Emily Kokal reshared a post from one activist who was on board the Madleen, Aurora shared an update that claimed the Israeli government offered Thunberg the option to “attack, arrest, or turn back”, and Kneecap shared an earlier update that said: “Solidarity with Liam Cunningham [actor, Game Of Thrones] and all on the ‘freedom flotilla’ to Gaza”.

Bambie Thug also reposted an update that read: “We demand that Madleen is allowed to land safely and peacefully in Gaza with all activists unharmed”, while Ivo Graham previously shared support for the journey by writing: “Humanity and determination that should be a beacon to us all. Follow Greta and the Madleen as they sail towards Gaza this weekend.” Before then, Perfume Genius signed a petition demanding “safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship Madleen”.

Since the news of the government interference of the boat, Saul Williams has shared: “We demand safe passage for the flotilla!”, and Matt Haig has called out criticism of Thunberg, saying: “Like her. Don’t like her. But she is the opposite of ‘performative’. She is literally heading into a genocide with a target on her back.”

Solidarity with @liamcunningham1 and all on the "freedom flotilla" to Gaza 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/i2C4aKbYh0

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) June 2, 2025

Just sent my letter. Demand safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's ship Madleen, you can join them by putting Israel on notice. https://t.co/06fyysDJIN

— Perfume Genius (@perfumegenius) June 3, 2025

We demand safe passage for the flotilla! @GazaFFlotilla @ICBSOFGAZA pic.twitter.com/vkLY5zcfqj

— Saul Williams (@SaulWilliams) June 6, 2025

As reported by Independent, Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz has said he instructed the military to show the activists footage of Hamas’ October 7 attacks. “Anti-Semitic Greta and her Hamas-supporting friends should see exactly what the Hamas terrorist organisation – which they came to support and act on behalf of – truly is,” he said.

“They should see the atrocities committed against women, the elderly, and children, and understand whom Israel is fighting to defend itself.”

Thunberg has accused Israel of “kidnapping” her and reached out for global support. In a statement, she said: “I urge all my friends, family, and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible”.

This is a developing story.