Climate activist Greta Thunberg and other pro-Palestine activists were detained by Israeli authorities while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. This detention occurred after their ‘Freedom Flotilla‘ campaign vessel was intercepted. Thunberg had shared news of the campaign in a video update on June 2, where she wore a Fontaines D.C. charity shirt and raised awareness for the trip. The mission, involving Thunberg and 11 other campaigners, intended to sail to Gaza to “break Israel’s siege.”

The boat, named Madleen, was operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition group (FFC) and had departed from Italy at the start of the month. Its objective was to deliver crucial food and medical supplies, such as baby formula, to the people in Gaza, and simultaneously to elevate “international awareness” regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding amid the conflict with Israel.

On the morning of June 9, an update from the FFC stated that Israel had “forcibly intercepted” the Madleen, acting with “total impunity.” According to The Guardian, at approximately 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, an organizer for the Freedom Flotilla, declared: “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.” One of the activists, Spanish citizen Sergio Toribio, released a pre-recorded video. In it, he held up his passport and said: “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.”

In response to the interception, Spain’s foreign ministry summoned an Israeli diplomat in protest, with a meeting expected to occur later that day. A source from the foreign ministry informed El País: “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.”

Numerous public figures and musicians quickly voiced their condemnation of the interception and support for the activists. Cat Power posted on Instagram urging “the immediate release of all 12 hostages taken by Israel in violation of international law,” and listed the names of those onboard the Madleen. Nadine Shah shared a video made by another activist on the Madleen, which highlighted the plight of children in Gaza and called for global action, captioning her post: “Solidarity to all onboard of @gazafreedomflotilla ✊🏽🇵🇸”.

The band Garbage reshared a post on Instagram on June 9, 2025, that called for “the release of all involved immediately.” Prior to this, they had posted: “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 an activist who was on board the Madleen via her Instagram Stories on June 9, 2025. Aurora shared an update on her Instagram Stories, also on June 9, 2025, claiming the Israeli government had presented Thunberg with the options to “attack, arrest, or turn back”.

Irish band Kneecap expressed their support in a tweet on June 2, 2025, stating: “Solidarity with Liam Cunningham [actor, Game Of Thrones] and all on the ‘freedom flotilla’ to Gaza”. Bambie Thug reposted an update on Instagram Stories on June 9, 2025, which read: “We demand that Madleen is allowed to land safely and peacefully in Gaza with all activists unharmed”. Previously, Ivo Graham had shown 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.”

Perfume Genius announced via a tweet on June 3, 2025, that he had signed a petition demanding “safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship Madleen.” Saul Williams tweeted on June 6, 2025: “We demand safe passage for the flotilla! @GazaFFlotilla @ICBSOFGAZA”. Author Matt Haig defended Thunberg against accusations of being performative, asserting: “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.”

In response to these events, Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, stated that he had instructed the military to show the activists footage of Hamas’ October 7 attacks. Katz was quoted as saying, “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. They should see the atrocities committed against women, the elderly, and children, and understand whom Israel is fighting to defend itself.”

Following her detention, Greta Thunberg accused Israel of “kidnapping” her and the other activists. In a statement, she urged: “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”. The situation is reported as a developing story.