Israeli authorities were abusive toward passengers of the humanitarian aid boat intercepted on its way to Gaza, which had on board Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, a French doctor has alleged.
Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessel early Monday, approximately 200 kilometers off the Gaza coast, and detained its crew members.
Four passengers of the boat, including Thunberg and André, agreed to sign deportation documents and return home by Tuesday evening, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The rest of the crew, including French MEP Rima Hassan, remains in Israeli custody awaiting a court hearing.
Thunberg said the voyage was a peaceful protest against Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis.
A French doctor claims that Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among the passengers on the humanitarian aid boat that was intercepted en route to Gaza and that Israeli authorities mistreated her.
On the boat, Baptiste André told reporters when he returned to France that although there were no physical attacks, he saw Israeli border guards make fun of and purposefully deny passengers, especially Thunberg, sleep.
“Agents would turn up the music and dance as soon as someone fell asleep,” André said.
He added that the detainees had trouble getting food and water.
The Madleen, a vessel run by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Italy on June 1 with Thunberg as one of 12 passengers on board to transport aid to Gaza’s civilian population. The crew members were taken into custody when Israeli naval forces intercepted the ship early Monday, about 200 kilometers off the coast of Gaza.
André stated on Tuesday that “there were acts of mistreatment, but I don’t have the legal qualifications to specify what happened.”.
Thunberg and André were among four boat passengers who consented to sign deportation papers and leave the boat by Tuesday night, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The remaining members of the crew, including French MEP Rima Hassan, are still being held in Israeli detention while they await a court appearance.
In an earlier video, which was made public on Monday, Thunberg claimed that Israel had “intercepted and kidnapped” her group and urged the Swedish government to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Thunberg, the journey was a nonviolent protest against the deteriorating humanitarian situation and Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
However, the Israeli government referred to the ship as a “selfie yacht,” claiming that the mission violated its naval blockade and dismissed the operation as a publicity stunt. “”.
