The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Sunday vehemently rejected claims of mistreatment and violence against Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other detainees who were part of the Gaza-bound Hamas–Sumud flotilla, branding the allegations as “brazen lies.”
In a forceful statement, the ministry asserted that all detainees’ legal rights were “fully upheld” during their custody and stressed that neither Thunberg nor any other activist had lodged credible complaints regarding their treatment with Israeli authorities.
“The claims regarding the mistreatment of Greta Thunberg and other detainees from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla are brazen lies. All the detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld,” the statement read.
The ministry further accused Thunberg and fellow activists of deliberately prolonging their detention. “Interestingly enough, Greta herself and other detainees refused to expedite their deportation and insisted on prolonging their stay in custody,” it noted, adding that Thunberg “did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations – because they never occurred.”
Activists Allege Harsh Treatment
The Israeli denial follows the deportation of 137 activists on Saturday who were detained after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla—a coalition of boats seeking to ferry humanitarian aid to war-battered Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade.
Upon arrival in Istanbul, flotilla participants alleged they were subjected to violence and “treated like animals” by Israeli authorities. Two activists, Hazwani Helmi of Malaysia and Windfield Beaver of the United States, specifically claimed to have witnessed the harsh treatment of Thunberg. They alleged she was shoved and even compelled to wear an Israeli flag by her captors, with Beaver stating she was “treated terribly” and “used as propaganda.”
The flotilla, which had sailed last month, was intercepted by Israel in international waters, leading to the detention of more than 400 people and sparking worldwide protests from Europe to South America. At least 137 of the deportees, including 36 Turkish nationals, arrived in Istanbul on Saturday.
Meanwhile, protests against the Israeli action, which activists claim violated international law by intercepting the civilian flotilla, were held in major cities globally, including Barcelona, Berlin, The Hague, and Tunis.