Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was allegedly mistreated while detained by Israeli authorities during a flotilla mission delivering aid to Gaza, according to activists deported to Turkey. Two activists, Malaysian Hazwani Helmi and American Windfield Beaver, claimed that Thunberg was forced to wear an Israeli flag and that detainees were denied clean food and water, with their belongings and medicines seized.
A total of 137 activists, including 36 Turkish nationals and participants from the US, UAE, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan, were deported to Istanbul on Saturday. Italian activist Paolo Romano described detainees being forced to kneel face down and subjected to both psychological and physical violence.
An email from the Swedish foreign ministry indicated that Thunberg was held in a bedbug-infested cell with insufficient food and water, and developed rashes. Turkish activist Ersin Celik alleged she was dragged by her hair, beaten, and forced to kiss the Israeli flag.
Israel denied all allegations, calling them “complete lies,” and stated that all detainees were provided with food, water, and access to legal counsel. The country accused some flotilla members of obstructing deportation procedures, though no evidence was provided.
The flotilla, which departed in late August, was part of ongoing activist efforts challenging Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, imposed since 2007 and intensified following Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023.
