Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg faced harsh treatment in an Israeli prison after her arrest aboard a Gaza aid flotilla, according to fellow activists and legal representatives. Israeli Navy forces intercepted the boats on Thursday and Friday, and most detainees were transported to Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert before more than 130 faced deportation to Turkey.
Italian journalist Lorenzo D'Agostino reported that Israeli forces denied flotilla members fresh water for two days, and Thunberg was wrapped in an Israeli flag and displayed as a trophy. Turkish journalist Ersin Celik described witnessing the mistreatment of Thunberg, and activists Hazwani Helmi and Windfield Beaver claimed she was paraded with an Israeli flag as propaganda after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the prison.
The Swedish Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed Thunberg complained about harsh treatment and insufficient food and water, and the Israeli rights group Adalah said activists were forced to kneel with zip-tied hands for at least five hours. Israeli Foreign Ministry officials rejected the allegations as complete lies, and they stated Thunberg and other activists remained safe and healthy while claiming their true goal was provocation in the service of Hamas rather than humanitarian assistance.
Italian journalist Lorenzo D'Agostino reported that Israeli forces denied flotilla members fresh water for two days, and Thunberg was wrapped in an Israeli flag and displayed as a trophy. Turkish journalist Ersin Celik described witnessing the mistreatment of Thunberg, and activists Hazwani Helmi and Windfield Beaver claimed she was paraded with an Israeli flag as propaganda after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the prison.
The Swedish Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed Thunberg complained about harsh treatment and insufficient food and water, and the Israeli rights group Adalah said activists were forced to kneel with zip-tied hands for at least five hours. Israeli Foreign Ministry officials rejected the allegations as complete lies, and they stated Thunberg and other activists remained safe and healthy while claiming their true goal was provocation in the service of Hamas rather than humanitarian assistance.
