Hi Global Recap readers,
Hope you all had a great weekend!
As I mentioned Friday, I stepped away from the internet for a bit, only to come back to scenes of LA on fire and Greta Thunberg hurling phones into the ocean.
So, here we go again. As for the Thunberg incident, it's worth noting that Israel had about 15 years to prepare for this. Let’s unpack that a bit more below. 👇️
🌐 WORLD
Fast Scroll News
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
🇮🇹 Foreigner Citizenship Vote Fails. Italy just wrapped up a two-day referendum (Sunday and Monday) aimed at easing the path to citizenship for kids of foreign-born parents and strengthening labor protections. But it flopped—turnout by Sunday night was just 15.9%, way short of the 50% needed for the vote to count. Rapper Ghali, who was born in Milan to Tunisian parents, urged Italians to vote, warning that too many immigrants are stuck in legal limbo. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni showed up at the polls but didn’t vote. Critics called it an “antidemocratic” stunt, while her supporters said it was an act of patriotism.
🇮🇷 Iran Claims Nuclear Theft. Iran’s intelligence minister says it swiped thousands of pages of secret documents about Israel’s nuclear program, though no evidence has been offered yet. Israel hasn’t acknowledged the alleged breach, but the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed some files seem linked to the Soreq Nuclear Research Center. Iran’s move echoes Israel’s 2018 operation that grabbed Iranian nuclear secrets, right before Trump ditched the US-Iran nuclear deal. Iran says it’ll release them soon.
🇵🇹 Activists Plotted Poison Attack. A group of left-wing activists in Portugal allegedly used a WhatsApp chat to plan attacks against Israelis attending the Boom Festival this July. According to reports, a Jewish artist infiltrated the group and exposed disturbing messages. The activists allegedly discussed poisoning food with pesticides, setting tents on fire, defecating on tents, and urinating on food. Screenshots of the chat were reportedly handed over to both police and festival organizers, but the warnings were allegedly brushed off.
🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russia, Ukraine Swap Prisoners. Moscow and Kyiv have both confirmed that a prisoner exchange is in motion. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said the process will roll out over several stages in the coming days. According to him, priority is being given to the seriously wounded and soldiers under 25. On the Russian side, released troops are being treated in Belarus with medical and psychological support. So far, neither side has shared exact numbers, as negotiations are still happening “virtually every day” according to Zelenskyy.
🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Israel Stops Gaza Aid Boat
Israeli forces stopped Greta Thunberg and her group of activists as their boat was on its way to Gaza.
And what did the Israeli Foreign Ministry call them? A “selfie yacht.”
The Interception
So why did it call the aid boat Madleen a “selfie yacht” and a “publicity stunt”? Because it only carried a small load of humanitarian supplies.
Israel said the shipment was “less than a single truckload,” calling it nowhere near enough to break the “illegal siege,” which Thunberg claimed was her goal.
The Israeli navy warned the boat to change course before blocking it.
But here’s where things get interesting.
Thunberg’s Video
As they were being intercepted, Thunberg posted a video claiming they were being “kidnapped” in international waters by “Israeli occupational forces.”
She also called out to her family, friends, and “comrades” for help—a word choice that’s now fueling criticism online, with many calling her a “commie.”
But that’s not all.
Not Environmentally Friendly
After being detained and taken to Israel by sea, Thunberg and her fellow activists reportedly tossed their phones overboard into the water.
The move came after a voice, believed to be Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, was heard saying, “ditch your phones.” Not long after, a laptop was also tossed into the sea.
Naturally, the incident has sparked backlash, with critics accusing Thunberg of letting her hatred for Israel overshadow her environmental activism.
Israel Came Prepared
After intercepting the Madleen, Israel's Foreign Ministry shared a photo and footage showing the crew being treated well and provided with food and water, likely an effort to preempt backlash from pro-Palestine supporters.
Still, the photo is drawing mockery online, with some pointing out that the only time Thunberg has cracked a smile lately was while being fed by the very forces she accuses of committing genocide.
However, some pro-Palestine people online are calling this “propaganda.” They also have another point of criticism to throw at Israel. 👇
Activists’ Response
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel of violating international law.
The group said the boat was surrounded, sprayed with an unknown substance, and jammed.
European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who was also on the boat, posted that the vessel was intercepted in international waters.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry slammed the move as a “heinous” violation of maritime law, accusing Israel of unlawfully arresting the activists while they were still in international waters.
Historical Context
Security camera footage from the Mavi Marmara shows activists getting ready to confront IDF soldiers.
Weapons were found on board.
This wasn’t the first time activists tried to bust through Gaza’s blockade to provide aid. After past efforts turned into PR disasters for Israel, it’s likely the government was on high alert for Greta Thunberg’s flotilla, carefully managing every step to avoid another international backlash.
What happened?
A 2010 Israeli raid killed nine pro-Palestinian activists on a similar flotilla, after the activists on board reportedly threw firebombs at Israeli soldiers and violently resisted capture with steel poles, stun guns, knives, etc.
Israel claimed its forces acted in self-defense.
Nonetheless, the incident drew widespread international condemnation, accusing Israel of using excessive force against “unarmed activists.”
Some people are also claiming that certain photos showing activists being violent were staged or fake, but that’s a whole other rabbit hole.
A UN report found Israel’s force “excessive and unreasonable.”
💡 Interesting fact: The Israeli prime minister at the time was Benjamin Netanyahu. His terms in office: 1996 to 1999, 2009 to 2021, and 2022 to the present.
Israel’s Update
The @Israel social media account posted an update, seemingly trolling Thunberg and her followers with sarcastic remarks. 👇
Refusing To Watch
Defense Minister Israel Katz says they refused to watch footage of Hamas's October 7 massacre when brought in for screening. Katz accused them of ignoring "atrocities committed by Hamas" and siding with the terrorists over the victims.
“Greta [Thunberg] and her flotilla companions were taken into a room upon their arrival for a screening of the horror film of the October 7 massacre, and when they saw what it was about, they refused to continue watching,”
📊 Poll
After digging through various social media sites to get a feel for the reactions, most comments are pretty negative. Even some of the pro-Palestine followers seem disappointed by how ineffective the whole stunt was, while her critics had a field day mocking her.
Still, plenty of her supporters argue that the stunt succeeded in shining a spotlight on the suffering in Gaza and exposing what they call the ruthless tactics of “Israeli Zionists” kidnapping them illegally.
🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
National Guard Deployed in LA
California National Guard personnel seen stationed outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, June 8.
President Trump has sent the National Guard into Los Angeles following violent protests against federal immigration raids. California officials are fuming and calling it a “dictatorship.”
The Clashes Begin
The incident started in Paramount, California, where ICE agents were allegedly conducting a raid.
Protesters blocked roads and clashed with federal officers.
ICE agents faced “Molotov cocktails and bricks,” according to retired FBI agent Jason Pack.
By Sunday, tensions spilled into downtown Los Angeles.
Trump Sends Troops
In response, President Trump federalized the National Guard and deployed 2,000 soldiers to LA.
Trump praised the Guard’s response, calling the protests “radical left riots.”
“These thugs will NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS,” he posted on Truth Social.
Trump also threatened to send 500 Marines to LA streets.
LAPD Calls Unlawful Assembly
The LAPD declared downtown protests “unlawful” as demonstrators refused to disperse. Meanwhile, LA politicians are singing a different tune, accusing Trump of “instigating” violence and “manufacturing” a crisis.
Newsome said in an interview, “Arrest me, let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” taunting Trump’s border czar Tom Homan. He was also busy blaming Trump. 👇
California Governor Gavin Newsom
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
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Unlike Newsom and Bass, the LAPD chief has hinted he might be open to working with the National Guard, saying the situation has “gone out of control.” Still, some see his comments as a more cautious take, or even the opposite.
When asked if the National Guard was to blame for the spike in violence, he made it clear that there aren't enough troops on the ground yet to have any real impact—and that this kind of uptick is typical during civil unrest.
Social media is, unsurprisingly, split.
Trump supporters are slamming Newsom and Bass for targeting Trump instead of calling out the so-called protesters and undocumented immigrants stirring up chaos, waving the Mexican flag, and burning or spitting on the US flag.
On the other side, critics are branding Trump a dictator for deploying the National Guard and even floating the idea of sending in the Marines.
Videos
Protestors throwing rocks at the police.
Click for video
Rooftop Koreans
In response to the violence, some are calling for the return of the "Rooftop Koreans," a reference to armed Korean American store owners who defended their businesses during the 1992 LA riots when police were overwhelmed and slow to respond.
Looking at this, has anything really changed in the past 30 years?
