Ben-Gvir Calls Greta Thunberg and Gaza Flotilla Activists ‘Terror Supporters’
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sharply criticized Greta Thunberg and other activists detained after Israel intercepted the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” which attempted to breach the naval blockade of Gaza earlier this week.
Ben-Gvir Condemns Activists
Following the interception, Ben-Gvir denounced the Swedish climate activist and her companions, labeling them “pro-Hamas” and accusing them of aiding terrorism.
Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, calls out Greta Thunberg and her pro-Hamas friends:
“You are all terrorists. You are supporting murderers, supporting Gaza, supporting terrorists. You are terror supporters. There is no humanitarian aid here.” pic.twitter.com/FkKdPPjmuU
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) October 2, 2025
“You are all terrorists,” Ben-Gvir said. “You are supporting murderers, supporting Gaza, supporting terrorists. You are terror supporters. There is no humanitarian aid here.”
The flotilla, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, claimed its mission was to deliver humanitarian aid—including food, medical supplies, and baby products—to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel, however, maintained that the operation was a political provocation, not a legitimate humanitarian effort.
Flotilla Interception and Deportation
An Israeli Foreign Ministry video showed Thunberg seated on the deck of one of the detained ships, surrounded by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers. This marked her second attempt to sail to Gaza as part of a pro-Palestinian flotilla.
Among the 250 activists detained was Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late South African leader Nelson Mandela, who has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and a convert to Islam.
His sister, Ndileka Mandela, appealed to South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, urging intervention for the release of her brother and other detained activists.
“The flotilla’s sole purpose was to deliver humanitarian assistance — food, medical supplies, nappies, and other essential relief items — to the people of Palestine,” she wrote. “The delegation comprised peace activists whose mission was solely humanitarian and posed no threat to the State of Israel.”
.@IsraelPolice is looking for the humanitarian aid from the Hamas-Sumud provocation so it can be transferred peacefully to Gaza.
The only problem: so far they haven’t found much.
Like we said, it was never about the aid. It was always about the provocation. pic.twitter.com/AbL52UGQCv
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 2, 2025
Israel Declares Flotilla Over
On Thursday night, Israel declared the “Global Sumud Flotilla” over after intercepting dozens of vessels attempting to reach Gaza. According to the IDF, all 41 ships were stopped safely, with passengers in “good health” before being deported to Europe.
One ship lagged behind due to mechanical issues and was intercepted early Friday morning. Israeli officials emphasized that no violence occurred during the operation.
The Foreign Ministry later mocked the flotilla online, writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“It was never about the aid. It was always about the provocation.”
The post added that Israeli police searched for the promised humanitarian supplies but “haven’t found much.”
Another Flotilla En Route to Gaza
Despite the crackdown, another flotilla is reportedly on its way. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirmed that a ship named Conscience left Italy on Wednesday with around 100 activists, including journalists and medical workers. The group said the Conscience will join eight additional boats that departed a week earlier in another attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla marks the latest in a series of efforts by pro-Palestinian activists to break Israel’s maritime restrictions on Gaza, a policy enforced since 2007 following Hamas’s takeover of the territory.