Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has reportedly faced mistreatment after being detained by Israeli forces during the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission bound for Gaza. Several activists returning from detention allege that Thunberg was physically handled and humiliated, while Israeli officials have dismissed the accusations as “completely false.”
According to multiple participants released from Israeli custody, security forces dragged Thunberg across the ground and allegedly wrapped her in an Israeli flag, forcing her to kiss it. Turkish journalist Ersin Celik and Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi told media outlets in Istanbul that detainees were deprived of food, water, and medical care for hours.
U.S. citizen Windfield Beaver and Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino also claimed that the 22-year-old activist was treated “as a trophy” and paraded before officials.
Human-rights organization Adalah later reported that detainees were handcuffed, denied access to lawyers, and kept in harsh conditions.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the claims, saying all detainees “were treated in accordance with international law” and calling the accusations “propaganda.” The ministry reiterated that the flotilla had violated Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza and was lawfully diverted to Ashdod Port.
The Global Sumud Flotilla — carrying activists and aid supplies from several countries including Turkey, the U.S., Malaysia, and Italy — sought to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza amid the ongoing siege. More than 130 participants were deported to Turkey on Saturday.
Thunberg has not yet made a public statement, but international human-rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the alleged abuse.
