
Topics: News, UK News, US News, World News, Politics
Topics: News, UK News, US News, World News, Politics
After she was 'intercepted and kidnapped' by Israeli forces on Monday (9 Jun) while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, Greta Thunberg has released an emotional statement after landing in Paris.
Along with 11 other members of the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), she was apprehended when the British-flagged yacht she was travelling on, the Madleen, was intercepted as it attempted to challenge Israel's naval blockage of the area.
The mission was aimed at raising awareness of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Middle East, and delivering 'baby formula, food and medical supplies' to individuals who are starving.
Advert
In an unnerving pre-recorded clip shared to social media yesterday, Thunberg could be heard telling her followers: "My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden. 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."
In response, th Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the interception of the boat by sharing a video of amenities being handed out to the crew.
Advert
"All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed," an accompanying statement claimed. "They were provided sandwiches and water." They'd also captioned their online statement: "The show is over."
Following the update released earlier today that the Swedish activist had since been deported from the Middle East to her home-country via France, she released a statement on the incident.
"I was very clear in my testimony that we were kidnapped on international waters and brought against our own will into Israel," she declared.
Two new photos were shared to the ministry's Twitter profile earlier today in which Thunberg could be seen being escorted onto a flight.
Advert
The activist has also addressed criticism that US President Donald Trump previously sent in her direction, during which he described her as an 'angry person'.
"I think the world needs a lot more young angry women to be honest, especially with everything going on right now," Thunberg declared.
During a White House meeting, the 78-year-old Republican said of the climate change activist: "Well she's a strange person.
Advert
"She's a young, angry person. I don't know if it's real anger. It's hard to believe. But I saw what happened. She's certainly different."
Trump went on to jibe that the 22-year-old should look into 'anger management'.
"That's my primary recommendation for her," he continued, before joking in a rather controversial comment: "I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg."