Former President Donald Trump has reignited controversy with sharp comments aimed at climate activist Greta Thunberg, following her recent detainment by Israeli forces. Thunberg was aboard a humanitarian vessel with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition when it was intercepted in international waters and redirected to an Israeli port. The group, including activists and public figures, was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza amid the region’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. In a video message, Thunberg described the interception as a “kidnapping,” prompting international reactions.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry defended the operation, citing its long-standing naval blockade of Gaza, which intensified after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The blockade has faced global criticism for limiting humanitarian access, especially as Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 54,000 deaths since the conflict escalated. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition condemned the interception as a breach of international law, accusing Israeli forces of seizing essential supplies intended for civilians, including food and medical aid.

During a June 10 press briefing, Trump responded to the incident with skepticism. He dismissed Thunberg’s account, calling her “a young, angry person” and suggesting she needed “anger management.” When told she claimed to have been kidnapped by Israeli forces, Trump scoffed, stating, “Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg,” indicating disbelief in her version of events. His remarks sparked backlash from Thunberg supporters, who see her activism as a moral stance in a deepening humanitarian emergency.