Professional activist Greta Thunberg was roundly mocked for a video she posted to social media in which she claimed she’d been “kidnapped in international waters,” either by Israeli officials or by forces loyal to Israel.

Thunberg, wrapped in a keffiyeh, stared into the camera and claimed, “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel.” She then called on people to “put pressure” on the Swedish government to do everything they could to get her back.

But as critics quickly pointed out, Thunberg’s “hostage video” was recorded and shared before the “Freedom Flotilla” — also dubbed the “Selfie Flotilla” — was ever even intercepted by Israeli officials. They also noted that once they were detained, Thunberg and her fellow activists were treated humanely — a courtesy not afforded the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.

“Imagine pre-recording a video claiming you were ‘kidnapped’ by Israel- then going ahead and doing the exact thing that gets you legally detained. Nice choreography,” Hen Mazzig posted. “You weren’t kidnapped, Greta. You trespassed into an active war zone. You were warned. Repeatedly. And you went anyway-cameras rolling. Real hostages don’t get to pre-record their statements. Real hostages are held by your Hamas friends underground in Gaza- starving, tortured, and forgotten by activists like you.”

Imagine pre-recording a video claiming you were “kidnapped” by Israel- then going ahead and doing the exact thing that gets you legally detained. Nice choreography.

You weren’t kidnapped, Greta.
You trespassed into an active war zone.
You were warned. Repeatedly.

And you went… pic.twitter.com/LNJ4aEzx4g

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) June 9, 2025

“Greta filmed a video claiming she’s been ‘kidnapped.’ In reality, her boat was peacefully boarded, and she’s being brought to shore—where she’ll likely be deported and return to Sweden to continue her selfie activism. The same can’t be said for the 55 hostages still trapped in Hamas’s terror tunnels—starved, tortured, and forgotten for over 20 months,” Aviva Klompas added.

Greta filmed a video claiming she’s been “kidnapped.” In reality, her boat was peacefully boarded, and she’s being brought to shore—where she’ll likely be deported and return to Sweden to continue her selfie activism.

The same can’t be said for the 55 hostages still trapped in… pic.twitter.com/sDyHsNvBst

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) June 9, 2025

“No, @gretathunberg, you little self-righteous provocateur, you are not a ‘hostage’ or ‘kidnapped’. You were treated peacefully, with dignity, provided food by Israel and will now get to go home. But you know who actually are hostages?” Arsen Ostrovsky posted.

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No dear @GretaThunberg, you little self-righteous provocateur, you are not a ‘hostage’ or ‘kidnapped’. You were treated peacefully, with dignity, provided food by Israel and will now get to go home.

But you know who actually are hostages? pic.twitter.com/eaNWKNhpHX

— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) June 9, 2025

Piers Morgan weighed in as well, saying, “Oh shut up, @GretaThunberg – you attention-seeking narcissist. What an insult to the actual hostages in Gaza who really WERE kidnapped. This stupid stunt is all about your ego, and will make zero difference to the plight of innocent Palestinians caught up in this dreadful war.”

Oh shut up, @GretaThunberg – you attention-seeking narcissist. What an insult to the actual hostages in Gaza who really WERE kidnapped. This stupid stunt is all about your ego, and will make zero difference to the plight of innocent Palestinians caught up in this dreadful war. https://t.co/T5Tej2fgZ4

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 9, 2025

“Greta Thunberg records video saying she’s been kidnapped by Israel- then sails directly into a war zone to ensure she’ll be intercepted,” Brandon Straka posted. “Even Jussie didn’t have the nerve to announce his hate crime BEFORE it happened.”

Greta Thunberg records video saying she’s been kidnapped by Israel- then sails directly into a war zone to ensure she’ll be intercepted. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Even Jussie didn’t have the nerve to announce his hate crime BEFORE it happened. pic.twitter.com/L6IctcmPhW

— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) June 9, 2025

A news reporter at Los Angeles’ ABC News affiliate, speaking over video footage of riots where leftists were burning cars to protest Trump administration immigration policies, described the situation to viewers as “just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn.”

The ABC 7 reporter made the comments while declaring, “It could turn very volatile if you move law enforcement in there and turn what is just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn into a massive confrontation and altercation between officers and demonstrators.”

Meanwhile, on Monday, after a weekend of rioting, the usual suspects in the media either offered their support for illegal immigrants or attacked the Trump administration for getting involved in the incendiary situation. The Los Angeles Times published an article titled, “Feds vow to continue immigration enforcement ‘every day in L.A.’ Here are your rights.”

“Businesses should ensure that employees know their rights and that they should refrain from engaging with ICE officials, according to the National Employment Law Project,” the Times wrote.

“Trump Jumps at the Chance for a Confrontation in California Over Immigration,” The New York Times blared in response to the riots, adding, “The situation has all the elements that the president seeks: a showdown with a top political rival in a deep blue state over an issue core to his agenda.”

“In bypassing the authority of Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat, to call in the National Guard to quell protests in the Los Angeles area over his administration’s efforts to deport more migrants, Mr. Trump is now pushing the boundaries of presidential authority and stoking criticism that he is inflaming the situation for political gain,” the Times continued.

“The easiest way to understand this is not that Los Angeles has suddenly turned into a metropolis riddled with criminal immigrants who are holding it hostage,” the Washington Post echoed. “The easiest way to understand this is that the president and his administration have been looking to California as they have been looking to crush any center of power that he views as adversarial. … the administration by all appearances seeks to make an example of California and of any leaders who oppose its efforts.”