Donald Trump issues message to Greta Thunberg as she’s deported after claiming Israel 'kidnapped' her on way to Gaza

On Monday (9 June), 22-year-old activist Greta Thunberg along with 11 other political campaigners were making their way to Gaza with humanitarian aid when Israeli forces seized their vessel.

The crew on board the Madleen, a British-flagged yacht, had attempted to challenge Israel's naval blockage of the area while raising awareness of the alleged genocide which continues to unfold in Palestine.

Thunberg could be seen stating in a pre-recorded video at the time: "If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces - or forces that support Israel.

"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."

Greta Thunberg along with 11 other activists were making their way to Gaza with humanitarian aid when Israeli forces seized their vessel (Fabrizio Villa / Stringer / Getty Images)

Representatives of the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) previously accused Israel of 'forcibly intercepting' the Madleen, and acting with 'total impunity' by 'unlawfully boarding' it.

They added that its 'civilian crew' had been 'abducted' while attempting to drop 'life saving cargo' in Gaza - which included 'baby formula, food and medical supplies'.

"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," FFC organiser Huwaida Arraf told press yesterday.

"Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen."

US president Donald Trump has since spoken out about Thunberg, saying at a press conference: "She's a young, angry person. I don't know if it's real anger; it's hard to believe, actually."

Trump, 78, called the 22-year-old activist a 'young, angry person' in a series of shocking remarks (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / Contributor / Getty Images)

"I saw what happened," the 78-year-old Republican, who has a long-standing feud with he 22-year-old, went on. "She's certainly different. Anger management. I think she has got to go to anger management class. That's my primary recommendation for her."

As per Reuters, he also dismissed her kidnapping claims, adding: "I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg."

Thunberg has since issued her response to Trump's remarks, saying: "I was very clear in my testimony that we were kidnapped on international waters and brought against our own will into Israel."

Laughing off criticism from Trump, she added: "I think the world needs a lot more young angry women to be honest, especially with everything going on right now."

Thunberg has now landed in Paris after she was deported from Israel this morning and is expected to travel to Sweden after.