Former President Donald Trump offered a brief but pointed response when asked about Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg’s recent detainment by Israeli forces while she was en route to Gaza aboard a humanitarian aid ship.
The incident, which sparked international headlines, began when Thunberg and a group of activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition attempted to deliver aid to Gaza. The Israeli military intercepted the vessel in international waters, citing its naval blockade of the region, and towed it to port.
In a video shared by the coalition, Thunberg stated that she and others had been “intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli occupational forces.” Israeli officials confirmed the ship’s interception and noted that the blockade is part of long-standing security measures following Hamas’s control of Gaza.
Trump’s Take
Speaking to reporters on June 10, Trump was asked if he had discussed the incident with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call earlier that day. Trump replied:
“She’s a young, angry person… I think she has to go to an anger management class. That’s my primary recommendation for her.”
When told Thunberg had claimed she was “kidnapped” by Israel, Trump scoffed and remarked:
“I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg.”
What Happened on the Ship
The aid boat, carrying food, baby formula, and medical supplies, also included several prominent passengers, such as Rima Hassan (a European Parliament member), journalist Yanis Mhamdi, and Al Jazeera presenter Omar Faiad.
The Israeli government confirmed that all passengers were safely detained and provided with basic provisions before being transferred to an airport in Tel Aviv for deportation.
Ongoing Tensions
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition criticized the seizure as a violation of international law and claimed that Israel blocked urgent humanitarian relief. Israel responded by dismissing the allegations and referred to the vessel as the “selfie yacht,” adding that all individuals aboard were treated humanely.
Thunberg, who has long been vocal on global justice issues, posted on Instagram following her detainment:
“The world cannot be silent bystanders when there is a livestream genocide going on… Everyone who can do something has a moral duty to act.”
The incident has deepened the divide over Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has remained in place since 2007. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 54,000 people have died in the ongoing conflict, a number cited by the Associated Press.
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