Fellow activists and lawyers have reported that Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg was subjected to humiliation and harsh treatment in an Israeli prison following her arrest aboard the Gaza aid flotilla.
The alleged mistreatment includes claims of deprivation of basic necessities like food and water and forced actions like kissing the Israeli flag, which have sparked international concern. Eyewitnesses, including Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino and Turkish journalist Ersin Celik, described the situation as a form of public humiliation and potential abuse.
Thunberg was among the activists who attempted to breach the blockade of Gaza by sea, whose boats were intercepted by the Israeli Navy on Thursday and Friday. Most detainees were taken to Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert, and more than 130 have since been deported to Türkiye.
According to testimonies, Israeli forces left flotilla members without fresh water for two days, while Thunberg was “wrapped in an Israeli flag and exhibited like a trophy.” Turkish journalist Ersin Celik said he witnessed the “torture” of Thunberg, including dragging her by her hair and beating her.
Activists Hazwani Helmi and Windfield Beaver also said Thunberg was paraded with an Israeli flag and “used as propaganda” during Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to the prison.
In an email cited by The Guardian, the Swedish Embassy in Tel Aviv said that Thunberg had complained about “harsh treatment” and not receiving enough food or water. The Israeli rights group Adalah said the activists were “forced to kneel with their hands zip-tied for at least five hours.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations as “complete lies,” saying that Thunberg and other activists were “safe and in good health.” The ministry added that “their true goal was provocation in the service of Hamas, not humanitarian assistance.”