“If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli occupational forces or forces that support Israel,” Thunberg 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.”
The video, widely shared online, sparked a wave of online activism and a renewed debate about Gaza, international law, and the role of celebrity activists.
Official Response and Ongoing Debate
Israeli officials defended the interception, citing the naval blockade of Gaza as a longstanding and necessary security measure. The Foreign Ministry also downplayed the incident, referring to the group as “so-called celebrities” and dismissing their mission as “performative.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has previously attempted to break the blockade and deliver aid to Palestinians, often resulting in interception by Israeli authorities.
