Several international activists deported from Israel after participating in a Gaza aid flotilla have accused Israeli forces of mistreating climate activist Greta Thunberg. The group of 137 deportees arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, including 36 Turkish nationals along with activists from the United States, Italy, Malaysia, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, and other countries, according to Turkish officials.
Turkish journalist and Gaza Sumud Flotilla participant Ersin Celik told local media he witnessed Israeli forces “torture Greta Thunberg,” saying she was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag.” Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Windfield Beaver shared similar accounts at Istanbul Airport, claiming Greta Thunberg was shoved and paraded with an Israeli flag.
Greta Thunberg
Helmi described the situation as a “disaster,” saying detainees were treated like animals and denied food, clean water, and medication. Beaver added that Thunberg was “treated terribly” and “used as propaganda,” recalling how she was shoved into a room as far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered. Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino, also on the flotilla, described Greta Thunberg as a “brave woman” who was humiliated by being wrapped in an Israeli flag and exhibited like a trophy.
Other activists reported harsh conditions. Turkish TV presenter Ikbal Gurpinar said, “They treated us like dogs. We were left hungry for three days. We had no water and had to drink from the toilet… It was terribly hot, and we were all roasting.” She said this experience gave her a deeper understanding of what people in Gaza endure.
Turkish activist Aycin Kantoglu described bloodstained prison walls and messages left by previous detainees, including mothers writing their children’s names on the walls. She said, “We actually experienced a little bit of what Palestinians go through.”
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that 26 Italians were deported, while 15 others remained in Israeli custody awaiting expulsion. Italian MP Arturo Scotto, who was on the flotilla, told reporters, “Those aboard the boats were acting legally; those who acted illegally were those who prevented them from reaching Gaza.”
Adalah, an Israeli rights group providing legal support, reported detainees were forced to kneel with zip-tied hands for hours, denied medication, and blocked from communicating with lawyers. Israel’s foreign ministry denied these claims as “complete lies,” affirming all detainees were treated according to the law, given access to food, water, restrooms, and legal counsel.
Israel has faced increasing international criticism for the raid on the flotilla, which involved the interception of about 40 boats delivering aid to Gaza and the detention of over 450 people onboard. Critics argue the attack highlights the illegality of Israel’s blockade, which has isolated Gaza’s 2.3 million residents amid the ongoing conflict.
The flotilla, launched in late August, represented the latest international attempt to break Israel’s siege and deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
