Activists Claim Israeli Forces Mistreated Greta Thunberg in Detention
Activists have claimed that Israeli forces mistreated Greta Thunberg during her detention following the Gaza aid flotilla incident. This event led to the deportation of 137 activists from various countries, who arrived in Istanbul.
Details of the Incident
- Date of Deportation: The activists were deported on Saturday.
- Countries Represented: Activists came from the United States, Italy, Malaysia, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, and Turkey.
- Number of Deportees: 137, including 36 Turkish nationals.
Accounts of Mistreatment
Witnesses reported severe mistreatment of Thunberg. Turkish journalist Ersin Celik stated that he saw Israeli forces “torture” her. He described incidents of her being “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag.”
Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Windfield Beaver corroborated this, stating that Thunberg was forcibly paraded with an Israeli flag. Helmi expressed distress, saying, “They treated us like animals,” and noted that detainees lacked food, water, and medical attention.
Further Testimonies
Thunberg’s treatment drew criticism from many, including Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino, who referred to her as a “brave woman” who was “humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag.” The Turkish TV presenter Ikbal Gurpinar shared her own traumatic experience, claiming that they went without food for three days and had to drink from the toilet.
Aycin Kantoglu, another Turkish activist, described her surroundings, mentioning bloodstained prison walls that bore messages from previous detainees. “We saw mothers writing their children’s names on the walls. We actually experienced a little bit of what Palestinians go through,” she stated.
International Response
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the deportation of 26 Italians, with 15 still detained. Italian MP Arturo Scotto criticized the actions of the Israeli forces, stating, “Those who were acting legally were the people aboard those boats.”
Adalah, an Israeli rights organization, reported that detainees suffered from being forced to kneel with zip-tied hands for extended periods and were denied access to medication and legal counsel.
Israeli Government’s Reaction
Israel’s Foreign Ministry denied all allegations of mistreatment. A spokesperson labeled them “complete lies,” asserting that all detainees received adequate food and legal rights during their detention.
Flotilla Overview
The Gaza aid flotilla, which began in late August, aimed to break Israel’s blockade. Critics argue that the Israeli actions signal the ongoing illegality of the blockade affecting Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Israel’s navy intercepted around 40 boats carrying aid, detaining over 450 individuals in the process.
