Pro-Palestinian witnesses earlier claimed that the Swedish activist was “dragged on the ground”
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has alleged that she and other detainees from the Gaza flotilla were subjected to harsh treatment by the Israeli authorities.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail in late September to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and protest Israel’s naval blockade. Organized by pro-Palestinian groups, it carried food and medical supplies.
Israeli forces intercepted it on October 3, detaining hundreds of activists, including Thunberg. Israel called the move a legal security action.
Speaking at a press conference in Stockholm on Tuesday following her deportation, Thunberg claimed that she and other activists were “kidnapped and tortured.” She declined to elaborate, only saying that detainees were denied clean water and critical medication.
”Personally, I don’t want to share what I was subjected to … because that’s not the story here,” she said, adding that the treatment they endured was minor compared with what people in Gaza face daily.
Turkish journalist and flotilla participant Ersin Celik earlier claimed that he witnessed Israeli forces “torture Greta Thunberg,” and that she was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag.” Thunberg made no mention of the allegations at the press conference.
The Israeli government has denied the allegations of torture, claiming that the detainees were treated in accordance with legal standards and provided with food, water, restrooms, access to medical assistance, and legal counsel.
In earlier remarks, the Israeli Foreign Ministry called the flotilla a “selfie yacht of celebrities,” saying it was aimed more at generating publicity than delivering aid.
Following the detention, Thunberg and 170 other activists were deported to Greece and Slovakia. Several participants have since alleged that they were beaten, deprived of sleep, and denied medical care during their time in Israeli custody.
