Greta Thunberg abused: Sumud Flotilla activists recount ‘Israeli’ abuse during detention

Deported activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian aid convoy bound for Gaza, have said ‘Israeli’ forces subjected them to violent and degrading treatment following the vessels' interception in international waters.

Among the most prominent are accounts of physical abuse directed at Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was detained along with hundreds of others.

Read more: 'Israel' confirms deportation of 137 Sumud Flotilla activists to Turkey

‘Israeli’ officials have denied any mistreatment, claiming that all detainees were handled humanely and in accordance with international law.

The flotilla, organized by the Global Sumud Coalition and comprising several boats carrying food, medicine, and other supplies, set sail in late September with the goal of breaking ‘Israel's’ longstanding naval blockade of Gaza.

Participants included international activists, journalists, and public figures such as Thunberg, who has been vocal in her support for Palestinian rights.

On October 1, ‘Israeli’ naval forces boarded the vessels approximately 70 nautical miles from Gaza's coast, detaining over 400 people and towing the boats to the port of Ashdod.

Most detainees, including Thunberg, were deported within days, with many arriving in Istanbul on October 4.

Read more: Protests, strikes across Italy for Gaza Sumud flotilla

Turkish activist and journalist Ersin Çelik, a participant on the flotilla, provided one of the most detailed accounts of the abuse in interviews with local media upon his release.

Çelik described witnessing ‘Israeli’ soldiers "torturing" Thunberg, whom he called a "tiny, petite child," by dragging her by the hair, beating her, forcing her to crawl on the ground, and compelling her to kiss the ‘Israeli’ flag.

"They did exactly what the Nazis did," Çelik said, adding that the actions appeared deliberate due to Thunberg's high profile and were intended as a warning to others.

He said this occurred in view of other detainees and was part of a broader pattern of humiliation.

Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino, another flotilla participant, corroborated the account in a statement to Anadolu Agency.

He described detainees being blindfolded, tightly handcuffed, and left in freezing conditions without access to fresh water for hours.

Agostino specifically said that Thunberg was wrapped in an ‘Israeli’ flag and displayed "like a trophy," likening the experience to being held by a "terrorist group."

Other activists echoed these sentiments, reporting being "treated like animals" with interrupted sleep, denial of medication, limited food, and exposure to bedbug-infested cells.

Thunberg herself, in a brief statement relayed through Swedish officials after her deportation, said she was held in a cell "infested with bedbugs" and subjected to harsh conditions, including being made to sit on hard surfaces for extended periods.

The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla has drawn international condemnation. Turkish officials criticized the treatment as "banditry," while protests erupted in cities like Istanbul and Rome.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called it an act of "intimidation," and human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called for an independent investigation. The flotilla’s lawyers are preparing submissions to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) documenting the violations.