Greta Thunberg Faces Abuse Allegations in Israeli Custody After Gaza Flotilla Arrest, Israel Denies Mistreatment
According to activists arrested by Israel for participating in a flotilla that aimed to transport aid to Gaza, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was subjected to abuse while in custody. It also includes her being made to wear the Israeli flag.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 5: According to activists deported to Turkey after joining a flotilla transporting supplies to Gaza, Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg was allegedly harassed. She was also made to wear the Israeli flag while in custody.
Deportation and Global Participation
According to officials in the Turkish foreign ministry, 137 activists were deported and arrived in Istanbul on Saturday. It included citizens from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey and Jordan.
The Global Sumud flotilla is a group of over 40 vessels. They were delivering humanitarian goods to Gaza. It included 437 activists, lawmakers, and attorneys. The Flotilla also included Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. All of the boats were caught by Israeli soldiers. The Israeli forces detained all the crew members.
Claims of Harsh Detention
Previously, Israeli detainees were not subject to criminal prosecution. However, attorneys from the nongovernmental organization Adalah claim that the activists are now denied access to water, sanitation, medication, and legal counsel. They also claim that Israel is openly violating their fundamental rights to due process, an unbiased trial, and legal representation.
The Guardian examined a Swedish foreign ministry email to Greta Thunberg's associates. It conveyed that a visiting official said that Thunberg had been detained in a cell with bedbugs and insufficient food and water.
The email read, “The embassy has been able to meet with Greta. She informed of dehydration. She has received insufficient amounts of both water and food. 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."
Testimonies of Abuse and Neglect
According to a Turkish activist Ersin Celik, Greta Thunberg was made to kiss the Israeli flag while being pulled by her hair.
He said, "They dragged little Greta [Thunberg] by her hair before our eyes, beat her, and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag. They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others.”
According to activists Windfield Beaver and Hazwani Helmi, Greta was pushed. She was made to pretend to be a terrorist. Helmi said, "It was disastrous. They treated us like animals." She also claimed that detainees were denied access to sanitary food and water. Helmi added that their possessions and medications were also seized.
According to Windfield Beaver, Thunberg was "treated terribly" and "used as propaganda". She was also pushed into a room when Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, arrived.
Israel’s Denial and Blockade Context
However, Israel denied all of the charges, calling them "complete lies". A representative for the foreign ministry told Reuters that all detainees had access to food, water, and legal representation.
Israeli authorities have repeatedly criticized the effort as a publicity stunt. They have issued warnings against violating what they called a "lawful naval blockade."
The flotilla was the most recent operation in a number of activist operations opposing Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. The blockade has been in effect since 2007. It is still one of the most controversial topics of the continuing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
