Greta Thunberg Alleges Harsh Treatment in Israeli Custody

Greta Thunberg Accuses Israel of Abuse After Arrest During Gaza Aid Flotilla

Swedish Activist Alleges Harsh Conditions and Physical Mistreatment

Greta Thunberg Alleges Harsh Treatment in Israeli Custody, Climate activist Greta Thunberg has accused Israeli authorities of abusing and mistreating her in custody following her arrest during the Global Sumud Flotilla, an aid convoy that attempted to reach the Gaza Strip late last week.

According to an email from Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs obtained by The Guardian, the 22-year-old told a Swedish diplomat she was held in an insect-infested cell, received little food or water, and suffered from dehydration and rashes while in detention.

A Swedish official wrote that another detainee had seen Thunberg being forced to hold Israeli flags while photographs were taken, and that the images were later circulated.

Witnesses Claim Violent Treatment

Other activists who were detained alongside Thunberg have corroborated parts of her account.
Turkish participant Ersen Elek and her colleague Somoud Volila told Turkey’s Anadolu Agency that Israeli officers “dragged Greta by her hair, beat her, and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag,” calling it a warning to other protesters.

Global Sumud Flotilla: Breaking the Siege, Sailing for Justice

Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino further claimed that Thunberg was “wrapped in the Israeli flag and displayed like a trophy.”

Mass Arrest During Flotilla Interception

Thunberg was among 437 people aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which included lawmakers, lawyers, and human rights activists attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
The flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli navy between Thursday and Friday, and all passengers were detained.
Several were transferred to Ketziot Prison, a high-security facility in Israel’s Negev Desert.

According to advocacy groups and lawyers from the NGO Adalah, detainees were denied access to water, medication, sanitation, and legal counsel, describing the situation as “a serious breach of due process.”

Thunberg reportedly received only “a small bag of potato chips,” while others were left “for hours without food or water,” according to her legal team.

Concerns Over Legal Rights

The Swedish activist also said she was pressured to sign a legal document during her detention but refused, explaining that she did not understand its contents and wanted legal advice first.
A French doctor who was part of the flotilla, Dr. André, told reporters he witnessed Israeli border agents mocking and depriving detainees of sleep, including Thunberg.

Israel Denies Allegations

The Israeli Embassy strongly denied all claims, calling them “complete lies.”
In a statement, officials said:

“All detainees from the Hamas-linked Sumud provocation were provided with water, food, toilets, medical care, and access to legal counsel. Their rights were fully respected.”

The embassy added that “Israel remains a country governed by the rule of law, committed to upholding the dignity and rights of all individuals in accordance with international standards.”

Context

This marks the second time in 2025 that Thunberg has reportedly been detained by Israeli forces during activism related to Gaza. The incident has reignited debate over Israel’s handling of international protesters and the legality of its blockade, as well as broader concerns about human rights in conflict zones.

Greta Thunberg, Israel, Gaza flotilla, Global Sumud, human rights, detention conditions, climate activist, Middle East conflict, Adalah NGO.