Trump criticizes Thunberg after deportation from Israel
US President Donald Trump has called Greta Thunberg a troublemaker with anger issues who should see a doctor. The statement came after Thunberg and other activists were deported from Israel, where they tried to break the Gaza blockade. In Athens, she was greeted with cheers and sharply criticized Israel's actions.
Greta Thunberg and over 500 activists from more than 40 countries sailed in August from Barcelona toward Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla organization. The aim was to deliver emergency aid and break the Israeli siege. Last week, the more than 40 vessels were boarded by the Israeli navy on international waters west of Gaza, and over 400 people, including nine Swedes, were detained.
They were held in the Ketziot desert prison, where reports describe poor treatment, such as denied medicine and Thunberg being forced to kiss the Israeli flag—something she did not detail. On Monday, October 6, 2025, 171 activists, including Thunberg and former MP Lorena Delgado Varas, were deported. They flew from Israel's Eilat Ramon airport at 1:30 PM Swedish time and landed in Athens after about two hours.
Upon arrival around 5:30 PM, there was huge cheers in the arrivals hall, with hugs, flowers, songs, and Palestinian flags. Thunberg raised a clenched fist and waved her scarf. In her speech, she said: 'Let me be very clear, a genocide is taking place. Right in front of our eyes. A livestreamed genocide on our phones.' She added: 'No one in the future will be able to say we didn't know.' She also criticized world governments for not doing enough and was interrupted several times by chants.
Delgado Varas urged: 'We will not stop until Palestine is free.' The nine Swedish activists are heading to a safe place for health checks, will stay overnight in Athens, and fly home to Sweden on Tuesday. Sweden's Foreign Ministry confirmed embassy readiness, but group spokesperson Anna Fransson criticized their lack of support.
In the evening, Donald Trump commented at a White House Oval Office press conference: 'She is a troublemaker who cannot handle her anger. I think she should see a doctor. She is a young person and so angry, she is crazy.' He noted her shift from climate to this issue. It is not the first time; in June, a similar action was stopped, and Trump called her 'strange' and a 'young, angry person.' Thunberg responded then: 'I think the world needs many more young, angry women.' Israel calls the initiative a PR stunt linked to terror and Hamas, claiming participants' rights were upheld.