Swedish eco-activist blames Israel for kidnapping

The ship carrying Swedish eco-activist Greta Thunberg, which was en route to the Gaza Strip, is now heading toward Israeli shores. All passengers will be sent home, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry accused Thunberg of attempting to provoke an incident but clarified that the humanitarian aid on board the vessel will be delivered to Gaza through legitimate humanitarian channels.

In her statement, Thunberg accused Israel and its allied forces of kidnapping her and called for pressure to be applied on the Swedish government to ensure her release.

Earlier on Monday evening, Reuters reported that Israeli forces had boarded the vessel Madeleine, which was carrying Thunberg and other volunteers heading toward Gaza, and that contact with the ship had been lost.

Madeleine, carrying Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham (known for his role in “Game of Thrones”), and about ten other Palestinian activists, was traveling from Egypt to Gaza. The activists had stated that they were heading to an enclave on a humanitarian mission.