Female cancer survivor reports body-shaming by 'Israeli' soldiers after Sumud Flotilla detention

• Dr. Fatima Hendricks said 'Israeli' soldiers body-shamed her by exposing her mastectomy to male soldiers.
• Other Sumud Flotilla activists reported harsh treatment, including beatings, water deprivation, isolation, and public humiliation.

Dr. Fatima Hendricks, a cancer survivor, said she was body-shamed and humiliated by ‘Israeli’ soldiers during her detention following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, where activists were arrested.

Hendricks, of South African origin, described how female soldiers deliberately exposed her mastectomy to male soldiers in an attempt to humiliate her.

Israel knows nothing but violence. This is the assertion and experience of Dr Fatima Hendricks. She was speaking as the South African group of Global Sumud Flotilla activists have returned home after Israel knows nothing but violence. This is the assertion and experience of Dr… pic.twitter.com/1l7gNqrFfD

— Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary (@Globalsumudf) October 9, 2025

“The IOF always wants to dehumanize and humiliate people, but we will not allow them to do that,” Hendricks said. “When they saw I am a cancer survivor without breasts, the women IOF soldiers made it a point to tell all the other male IOF soldiers about my condition as if the body shaming was going to have any psychological effect on me.”

She said that shaming attempts failed to intimidate her and highlighted the ongoing abuse of detainees in ‘Israeli’ prisons.

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

Hendricks was not the only activist to report mistreatment, with many recounting harrowing conditions during detention in Negev prisons. 

Detainees said they were kicked, deprived of water for over two days, denied communication, and forced to endure extreme conditions.

Activist Greta Thunberg, in particular, was reportedly humiliated, wrapped in an ‘Israeli’ flag, and displayed like a trophy.