Middle East Tensions Supported by The environmental campaigner was sent home after she and others on the intercepted vessel said they were trying to deliver food and medical supplies. transcript “On international waters, we were illegally attacked and kidnapped by Israel, and taken against our will to Israel, where we were detained. And then some of us deported. Some are still there.” “Israel acted in a peaceful manner. I want to be clear: This ‘persona non Greta’ will not be allowed to stay in Israel. Greta and friends brought in a tiny amount of aid on their celebrity yacht. It did not help the people of Gaza. This was nothing but a ridiculous gimmick.” “This was a mission of attempting to once again bring aid to Gaza, which is desperately needed and, but also, to send solidarity and say that we see you, we see what is happening, and we cannot accept just seeing — witnessing all this and doing nothing. That can never be an option.” By Isabel Kershner and John Yoon The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday deported the environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg and another activist who had been detained aboard an aid boat bound for Gaza. Ms. Thunberg and another passenger were flown out of Ben-Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv, and two more activists were expected to be sent home later on Tuesday, according to Israeli officials. Eight other passengers from the vessel, the Madleen, refused to sign deportation documents and were brought before an Israeli immigration tribunal on Tuesday, according to Adalah, an Israeli human rights group and legal center whose lawyers were representing them. The hearings were held over five hours, the group said in a statement. By Tuesday night, the tribunal had yet to decide whether the eight activists should remain in detention pending their deportation. Adalah’s lawyers argued that Israel had no lawful authority to detain or deport the activists since they had been in international waters and were transferred to Israel against their will. “The activists must be released immediately, allowed to re-board their ship, deliver aid to Gaza and return to their countries of origin,” the group said in a statement. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.