‘Dragged, beaten, forced to kiss Israeli flag’: Greta Thunberg, other flotilla activists allege abuse in Israeli custody

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and dozens of other activists have accused Israeli authorities of mistreatment following their detention while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Thunberg told Swedish officials she was held in a bedbug-infested cell, deprived of adequate food and water, and subjected to degrading treatment, including sitting for long periods on hard surfaces. The Swedish foreign ministry confirmed that she had developed rashes and experienced dehydration, while other detainees reported that she was photographed while being forced to hold flags.

Turkish activist Ersin Çelik alleged Thunberg was dragged by her hair, beaten, and forced to kiss the Israeli flag as a warning to others. Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino described seeing her wrapped in an Israeli flag and paraded like a “trophy.” Fellow detainees also reported being denied access to legal counsel, water, and sanitation. Activist Paolo De Montis described being crammed into a prison van with hands zip-tied for hours, while others were forced to kneel for prolonged periods.

Rights group Adalah criticised Israel for violating the detainees’ fundamental rights, while the Israeli Foreign Ministry denied all allegations, calling them “complete lies.” It insisted that all detainees had access to food, water, toilets, and legal counsel, and that their rights were fully respected.

The flotilla, consisting of over 40 vessels carrying a symbolic amount of aid, aimed to challenge Israel’s 16-year naval blockade of Gaza. Israel intercepted the boats and detained around 450 activists, including European lawmakers and Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela. International criticism has mounted over the flotilla’s interception and the treatment of detainees, highlighting the ongoing tension surrounding Israel’s blockade and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.