French doctor alleges mistreatment of Greta Thunberg and others by Israeli authorities
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A French doctor has come forward with serious allegations against Israeli authorities, claiming they mistreated passengers aboard a humanitarian boat bound for Gaza, including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg.
The vessel, named Madleen, was part of a humanitarian initiative organised by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition. It departed from Italy on June 1 with 12 passengers, including Thunberg, aiming to deliver aid to Gaza amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
However, the mission was cut short when Israeli naval forces intercepted the boat approximately 200 kilometers off Gaza’s coast.
Speaking after his return to France, Dr. Baptiste André, who was on board, described the treatment of passengers by Israeli agents as abusive.
“I don't have the legal qualifications to specify what happened, but there were acts of mistreatment,” he said on Tuesday.
André alleged that authorities mocked the passengers and deprived them of sleep—particularly targeting Thunberg. “As soon as someone would fall asleep, the agents would play loud music and dance,” he told reporters, adding that access to food and water was also limited.
Following the interception, four of the twelve passengers, including Thunberg, signed deportation papers and were sent home, while the remaining eight await a court hearing in Israel.
On arrival at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, Thunberg, 22, accused Israeli forces of forcibly detaining them. “This is yet another intentional violation of rights that is added to the list of countless other violations that Israel is committing,” she told the press. “They kidnapped us in international waters and took us against our will to Israel.”
Thunberg emphasised that their voyage was a peaceful demonstration against Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
In response, the Israeli government dismissed the aid mission as little more than a publicity stunt, calling Madleen a “selfie yacht.” They maintained that the group’s actions violated Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza.
