A group of 137 activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were deported to Turkey after being detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The activists came from countries such as Turkey, the US, UAE, Malaysia, Italy, and others, and arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, according to Turkish foreign ministry sources.

Activists Witnessed Thunberg Being Mistreated

Among the detainees, Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American Windfield Beaver claimed they witnessed Thunberg being mistreated. Helmi said, “It was a disaster. They treated us like animals. Great Thunberg was shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag.” Both activists also reported that detainees were denied clean food and water, with their medications and personal belongings confiscated.

Ersin Celik, a Turkish participant in the flotilla, accused Israeli forces of dragging Thunberg by her hair, beating her, and forcing her to kiss the Israeli flag as a form of intimidation. “They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others,” Celik told Anadolu news agency.

Paolo Romano, an Italian regional councillor detained in the same operation, described additional abuse. “They forced us to kneel, face down. If we moved, they hit us. They laughed, insulted, and beat us using both psychological and physical violence,” he stated.

Swedish Ministry Confirms Assault on Thunberg

The Swedish foreign ministry confirmed that an official visiting Thunberg during her detention reported she was held in a cell infested with bedbugs, received insufficient food and water, and suffered from dehydration. The email from the ministry detailed, “She also stated that she had developed rashes which she suspects were caused by bedbugs. She spoke of harsh treatment and said she had been sitting for long periods on hard surfaces.”

Israel categorically rejected the allegations of mistreatment, labeling them “complete lies.” A foreign ministry spokesperson assured that all detainees were provided with food, water, and legal counsel, and that their rights were fully respected. Israel also accused some flotilla members of deliberately obstructing deportation procedures but did not present evidence.

The flotilla, which set sail in late August, was an effort by activists to challenge Israel’s longstanding naval blockade of Gaza, a blockade in place since 2007. This blockade has become a highly disputed issue amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that escalated following Hamas’ October 2023 attacks.

Italian parliamentarians among the activists condemned Israel’s actions. Arturo Scotto said, “Those acting legally were aboard those boats; those who acted illegally were those who stopped them.” Benedetta Scuderi, another Italian MP, described the activists as “brutally stopped and taken hostage.” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that efforts continue to ensure detained Italians are treated with respect and that remaining detainees will soon be expelled.

Adalah, an Israeli legal assistance group, accused Israeli authorities of denying some detainees access to lawyers, water, medications, and toilets, and forcing them to kneel with their hands zip-tied for hours while chanting “Free Palestine.” Israel denied these claims and reiterated that all detainees’ rights were respected.

The incident has sparked international concern as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with the flotilla incident highlighting tensions between activists seeking to deliver aid and Israeli authorities enforcing the blockade.