Activists assert that the Swedish climate campaigner faced severe treatment following her arrest while attempting to reach Gaza
Israel has refuted claims of mistreatment against Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other members of the Global Sumud flotilla, labeling them “brazen lies.” Meanwhile, the Israeli government minister responsible for prisons stated his pride in the activists being handled as if they were terrorists.
Fellow activists and lawyers have alleged that Thunberg, alongside others, experienced “torture” and “harsh treatment” in an Israeli detention facility after their Gaza aid flotilla was intercepted and they were arrested.
Thunberg and her fellow activists were attempting to breach the Gaza blockade by sea but were stopped by the Israeli Navy on Friday. Most detainees were taken to Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert, and over 130 have since been deported to Türkiye.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, allegations of mistreatment of detainees “from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla” are false. “All the detainees’ legal rights are fully observed. Notably, Greta herself and other detainees declined to expedite their deportation, choosing instead to prolong their stay in custody,” the statement published on Sunday indicated.
The ministry further added that Thunberg “did not lodge any complaints with the Israeli authorities” regarding the allegations.
Separately, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir expressed his “pride” concerning the stringent conditions under which the activists are being held.
”I visited Ketziot prison and I was proud that we are treating the ‘flotilla activists’ as terror supporters; anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist, and merits terrorist-level conditions… It would benefit them to experience the conditions in Ketziot prison and reconsider approaching Israel again. That’s how it operates,” he remarked, as reported by the Times of Israel.
Flotilla activists state that Thunberg has met with Swedish embassy officials but has yet to consult with a lawyer.