'Israel' detaining Greta Thunberg in 'harsh' conditions: The Guardian
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A detainee reportedly told Swedish embassy officials that Thunberg had been forced to hold flags while photos were taken by Israeli personnel.
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Swedish activist Greta Thunberg after being abducted by Israeli forces (Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary on X)
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has reportedly described severe mistreatment while being detained by Israeli forces following the hijacking of the humanitarian flotilla she was on while headed toward Gaza.
According to correspondence obtained by The Guardian, Thunberg informed Swedish officials that she has been subjected to degrading conditions in detention, including being held in a cell infested with bedbugs and denied sufficient food and water.
An email sent by Sweden’s Foreign Ministry to individuals close to Thunberg and reviewed by The Guardian quoted a Swedish official who visited the activist in prison. The official confirmed that Thunberg "spoke of dehydration," adding that "she has received insufficient amounts of both water and food" and "developed rashes suspected to be caused by bedbugs."
The activist also said she was forced to sit "for long periods on hard surfaces" and described the overall treatment as harsh.
Another detainee reportedly told embassy officials that Thunberg had been forced to hold flags while photos were taken by Israeli personnel, though the specific flags remain unidentified.
Adding to the accounts of abuse, Ersin Celik, a Turkish journalist and participant in the Global Sumud Flotilla, told reporters that "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."
⚡️BREAKING: Turkish activist and Sumud Flotilla participant Ersin Celik:
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws1) October 4, 2025
“They [Israelis] 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,” pic.twitter.com/gV6SeMZr7U
Detained activists denied basic rights
Thunberg was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a coalition of over 40 vessels carrying humanitarian aid, attempting to challenge "Israel's" 16-year maritime blockade of Gaza. The flotilla included 437 activists, parliamentarians, and lawyers.
Between Thursday and Friday, Israeli naval forces hijacked all the boats and detained everyone on board. Most detainees were transferred to Ketziot (Ansar III), a high-security prison in the al-Naqab desert, typically used for Palestinian political prisoners.
Human rights group Adalah stated that detainees' fundamental rights have been "systematically violated", including denial of water, sanitation, medication, and immediate legal access, all in breach of due process.
An Italian legal team representing the flotilla said the detainees were left "for hours without food or water, until late last night," except for "a packet of crisps handed to Greta and shown to the cameras." Lawyers reported several instances of verbal and physical abuse.
'These are the terrorists of the flotilla'
During a visit to the port of Isdud on Thursday night, "Israel's" far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was filmed referring to the detained activists as "terrorists".
"These are the terrorists of the flotilla," he declared in Hebrew while pointing at dozens of activists seated on the ground. Some detainees reportedly responded by chanting: "Free Palestine."
Ben-Gvir has previously called for the flotilla members to be jailed rather than deported.
Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to deport activists of the #GlobalSumudFlotilla, who were detained while attempting to break the Israeli blockade on the Strip.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 4, 2025
Calling his decision a "fundamental… pic.twitter.com/r7h7lDEH9F
Sweden expresses concern
Swedish authorities confirmed that Thunberg has had access to legal counsel but declined to comment on details of her condition. According to Swedish officials, Thunberg was pressured by Israeli authorities to sign documents whose content she did not understand, which she refused.
Lawyers for the flotilla expressed concern over the treatment of detainees, particularly repeat participants such as Thunberg, who had previously been arrested during an earlier attempt to reach Gaza earlier this year.
The Guardian reported that the Israel Prison Service, the IOF, and the foreign ministry have not responded to its request for comment regarding the activist's reports.
