✕ Close Greta Thunberg ‘kidnapped by Israeli forces’ in international waters while carrying aid for Gaza

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Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has left Israel after being arrested for attempting to break the country’s 18-year naval blockade of Gaza.

Israel’s foreign ministry posted two pictures of the 22-year-old activist on board a plane. They said the flight would take her back to Sweden via France.

At least four of the 12 activists arrested on board the Gaza-bound, UK-flagged Madleen flotilla are expected to be deported on Tuesday, according to Israeli broadcaster Kan.

The group were picked up off the coast of Egypt earlier on Monday morning and taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where they were detained. They had been attempting to take a symbolic amount of aid into Gaza.

Kan reported that eight of the activists had refused to sign their deportation papers, meaning they could not be immediately deported.

“Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority, in accordance with Israeli law, to authorise their deportation,” the Israeli foreign ministry wrote on X.

The human rights organisation Adalah, representing the activists, confirmed they had met the Madleen passengers late last night, after issuing “multiple requests” to access their clients.

Britain has sanctioned two Israeli ministers over their comments about the war in Gaza in a significant break from Donald Trump.

The Government has imposed asset freezes on ultra-nationalists Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, and banned them from entering the UK.

It risks provoking a diplomatic row with the White House and brings London in line with countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which have also imposed sanctions.

Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, described the move as “outrageous”, telling reporters: “We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our ministers on the British sanctions list.

“It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.

“I discussed it earlier today with PM [Benjamin] Netanyahu, and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.”

The UK has sanctioned two Israeli far-right ministers over comments they made on Gaza.

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will both face a travel ban on entering the UK and will have any assets in the UK frozen as part of the measures announced by the foreign secretary.

David Lammy said the Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”.

In response, Israel said: “It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.”

After announcing the sanctions, Lammy said: “These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.

“We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid and a path to a two-state solution.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the cabinet would meet next week to respond to what he called the “unacceptable decision”.

The move comes as the UK and other Western nations seek to ramp up pressure on Israel’s government amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

The Foreign Office added that “alongside partners Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, the UK is clear that the rising violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank must stop”.

In a statement it said the measures taken against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir “cannot be seen in isolation from events in Gaza where Israel must uphold International Humanitarian Law”.

Britain, along with several international allies, is poised to impose sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, following remarks made about the war in Gaza. These measures, reported by the Times, include freezing assets and enforcing travel bans.

The sanctions, supported by countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, target Ben-Gvir, a West Bank settler and Israel’s national security minister, and finance minister Smotrich. The British foreign office remains silent on the specifics to prevent preemptive measures by those affected.

Criticism from Israel has been swift, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denouncing the sanctions as “outrageous”. This comes amid escalating tensions over the Gaza conflict that led leaders from Britain, France, and Canada to threaten further actions should Israel persist with its offensive and aid restrictions.

UK Government Sanctions Two Israeli Ministers Over Gaza Comments

Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich have been sanctioned by the UK government. (Alamy)

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced that two senior Israeli ministers are being sanctioned by the UK government over comments about Gaza and support for extremists in the West Bank.

Israeli security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smoritch, far-right members of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, have been sanctioned by the UK government.

In a joint statement, Lammy, along with the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway described the actions of Ben-Gvir and Smoritch as “not acceptable”.

“We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution and will continue to work with our partners towards its implementation,” the statement on Tuesday said.

“It is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability in the region, but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.

“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.

“We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas, which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid, and a path to a two-state solution.”

The sanctions will see the freezing of the assets of both ministers, as well as travel bans.

Finance minister Smotrich, who last month said “Gaza will be entirely destroyed” and that Palestinians will “leave in great numbers to third countries,” has also approved a significant expansion of settlements in the West Bank and campaigned against humanitarian aid being allowed into Gaza.

Security minister Ben Gvir, who is also a West Bank settler, has also supported the removal of Palestinians from Gaza, stating: “We must encourage emigration. Encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza”. Ben Gvir also has a history of association with the far-right Kahanist movement and has previously been convicted of inciting terrorism and racism in Israel.

Responding to the UK government’s sanctions, Israeli foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday afternoon said the decision was “outrageous”.

“We will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision,” he said.

Shadow foreign secretary and Tory MP Priti Patel commenting on the joint announcement said: “We have been clear that the British government must leverage its influence at every opportunity to ensure the remaining hostages are released, that aid continues to reach those who need it, and a sustainable end to the conflict is achieved.

“The Conservative Party has always been committed to supporting a two-state solution – delivered in the right way, and at the right time – and will work with the government to support efforts to achieve this, where those efforts are effective.”

Welcoming the announcement, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “The antidote to the extremism of ministers like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich must be to officially recognise the independent state of Palestine.

“The Government should take this vital step at next week’s summit – rejecting extremism, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to self-determination, and giving both Israelis and Palestinians hope of a lasting peace.”

Emily Thornberry, Labour MP and chair of the foreign affairs committee, also welcomed the decision.

“I and others have been calling for sanctions on these extremist Israeli ministers for the better part of a year,” she said.

“The government is finally doing the right thing. This must be a precursor to recognising a Palestinian state next week – not an alternative to it.”