International Activists Reveal Horrifying Physical Abuse of Greta Thunberg by Israeli Forces During Gaza Flotilla Raid
Gaza (QNN)- Several international activists deported from the occupation state of Israel after joining a Gaza aid flotilla have revealed details about mistreatment by Israeli forces of young climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The 137 deportees landed in Istanbul on Saturday, including 36 Turkish nationals and activists from the United States, Italy, Malaysia, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, and other countries, Turkish officials confirmed.
Turkish journalist and flotilla participant Ersin Celik told local media he witnessed Israeli forces torture Greta Thunberg. He said she was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag.”
Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Windfield Beaver gave similar accounts at Istanbul Airport. They said Thunberg was shoved and paraded with the flag.
“It was a disaster. They treated us like animals,” Helmi said. Detainees were denied food, clean water, and medication. Beaver added that Thunberg was “treated terribly” and “used as propaganda,” recalling how she was pushed into a room as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered.
Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino said, “Greta Thunberg, a brave woman, is only 22 years old. She was humiliated, wrapped in an Israeli flag, and exhibited like a trophy.”
Other activists reported severe mistreatment. Turkish TV presenter Ikbal Gurpinar said, “They treated us like dogs. They left us hungry for three days. We had to drink from the toilet… It was a terribly hot day, and we were all roasting.” She added the ordeal gave her “a better understanding of Gaza.”
Turkish activist Aycin Kantoglu described bloodstained prison walls and messages left by previous detainees. “We saw mothers writing their children’s names on the walls. We actually experienced a little bit of what Palestinians go through,” she said.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that 26 Italians had been deported, while 15 remained in Israeli custody awaiting expulsion. Italian MP Arturo Scotto, who joined the flotilla, told reporters, “Those who were acting legally were the people aboard those boats; those who acted illegally were those who prevented them from reaching Gaza.”
Adalah, a rights group, reported detainees were forced to kneel with zip-tied hands for hours, denied medication, and blocked from speaking with lawyers.
Israel has faced mounting international criticism for the flotilla raid, which saw its navy intercept around 40 boats carrying aid to Gaza and detain more than 450 people. The operation highlights the illegality of Israel’s blockade, which has trapped Gaza’s 2.3 million residents amid ongoing genocide.
Launched in late August, the flotilla was the latest international attempt to break Israel’s siege and deliver aid to Palestinians.
