Greta Thunberg’s latest protest at sea has made waves far beyond the Mediterranean. On June 9, 2025, the young climate activist was detained by Israeli forces while aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that was intercepted in international waters. While she and other activists are now being prepared to be deported, Thunberg dropped a pre-recorded video describing the event as a ‘kidnapping’.
Now, her choice of words stirred up a huge storm online. While many praised her bravery, others—like British TV host Piers Morgan—aren’t having it. Taking to X, Morgan blasted Greta Thunberg for using the word “kidnapping,” calling it disrespectful to real hostages. So, what really happened to Thunberg? Let’s find out.
Greta Thunberg’s Gaza-bound boat stopped and detained by Israeli forces
On June 9, 2025, climate activist Greta Thunberg found herself at the center of international headlines once again—this time, for being detained at sea. Thunberg was aboard the Madleen, a yacht operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which aimed to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.
However, the vessel was stopped by Israeli naval forces in international waters, then towed to the Israeli port city of Ashdod. According to BBC reports, the boat was carrying 12 activists from countries including Sweden, France, Brazil, and Germany, who were set to deliver FFC’s symbolic aid (rice and baby formula) to Gaza.
Now, while Madleen was intended as a peaceful protest against Israel’s long-standing naval blockade, Israel defended their blockade as a necessary security measure to prevent arms from reaching Hamas militants. Later, Israeli officials confirmed that the activists were “unharmed” and were being processed by authorities before deportation.
Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg released a video on social media describing the seizure of the vessel as a “kidnapping.” She also urged the Swedish government to intervene and secure the release of all activists on board. Now, while she was taken to a Tel Aviv airport for deportation on Tuesday, her use of the word “kidnap” went on to ignite a heated debate.
Piers Morgan blasted Greta Thunberg’s claims of being kidnapped
Not long after Greta Thunberg’s video popped up online, British broadcaster and commentator Piers Morgan took to X to express his outrage. Therein, Morgan accused Thunberg of being an “attention-seeking narcissist” and claimed that her use of the word “kidnapping” was not only misleading but insulting to actual hostages being held in Gaza.
Soon, Piers Morgan’s post went viral, once again sparking debate among netizens. While some supporters praised his directness, arguing Thunberg had exaggerated the situation and trivialized human rights violations—others accused Morgan of downplaying the situation and attacking a young activist.
Meanwhile, the English dictionary defines kidnapping as an act of abducting someone and holding them captive for ransom. Therefore, since the Israeli forces didn’t ask for ransom to let go of Greta Thunberg and the other activists, it doesn’t seem to literally qualify as kidnapping. But then again, it’s hard to determine the credibility of the term used by Thunberg without understanding the gravity of the situation.
Moreover, the situation brought to light by Greta Thunberg has a lot to do with politics rather than her choice of words. So, considering how she was taken from international waters without her consent, by a military force, and held in custody in a foreign country—people noted that it certainly seemed like illegal detainment similar to kidnapping.
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