Greta Thunberg faces abuse in Israeli custody after Gaza flotilla arrest
Swedish activist claims she was deprived of food and water, held in infested cell after detention from Gaza-bound aid flotilla
STOCKHOLM (MNTV) — Environmental activist Greta Thunberg has told Swedish officials she is facing harsh treatment in Israeli custody following her arrest from a humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza, according to diplomatic correspondence seen by The Guardian.
The 22-year-old campaigner was among 437 activists, lawmakers, and aid workers aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla — a coalition of more than 40 boats aiming to challenge Israel’s 16-year blockade of Gaza.
Israeli forces intercepted all vessels between Thursday and Friday, detaining every crew member and transferring most to the Ketziot (Ansar III) prison in the Negev desert, a facility used to hold Palestinian detainees.
In an email from Sweden’s foreign ministry, an embassy official who met Thunberg in detention said she appeared dehydrated and had received “insufficient amounts of both food and water.”
She reportedly developed skin rashes “caused by bedbugs” in her cell and described being forced to sit for hours on hard surfaces.
Another detainee told embassy staff they saw Israeli officers forcing Thunberg to hold unidentified flags while being photographed — a claim later echoed by other released activists.
Turkish participant Ersin Çelik told Anadolu Agency that Thunberg was “dragged by her hair” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag,” while Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino said she was “wrapped in the flag and paraded like a trophy.”
Human rights group Adalah said detainees’ rights were “systematically violated,” citing denial of food, water, medical care, and access to lawyers.
Thunberg’s legal team reported that detainees were left for hours without nourishment, adding that the activist was handed “a packet of crisps for the cameras.”
During a visit to Ashdod port, Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir referred to the flotilla participants as “terrorists,” urging that they be jailed rather than deported.
Thunberg reportedly refused to sign documents presented by Israeli authorities, saying she did not understand their contents. Sweden’s embassy confirmed she has access to legal counsel.
Israeli officials have not commented on the allegations. It is the second time Thunberg has been detained in connection with an aid flotilla attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
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