Greta Thunberg says 'Israeli' soldiers defaced her bag during Gaza detention
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has revealed that her belongings were returned in a defaced state after being detained by 'Israeli' authorities during a flotilla to the Gaza Strip.
In an interview with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, Thunberg described the five days in 'Israeli' captivity and stated that Sweden’s Foreign Ministry “abandoned them without assistance.”
A photo accompanying the article shows Thunberg sitting on the floor, examining a large red suitcase bearing the word “WH**E,” a graphic drawing, the symbol of captives, and the 'Israeli' flag. “The bag was confiscated by the Israeli army from the boat and returned to me in this condition,” Thunberg said.
The activist, who was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, accused 'Israeli' soldiers of physically assaulting her after she was detained on a boat approaching the enclave earlier this month.
“They hit and kicked me,” Thunberg told Aftonbladet, adding that the soldiers “threw an Israeli flag over me” in an attempt to humiliate her. She further alleged: “Then they ripped my frog hat off, threw it on the ground, stomped and kicked it and kind of had a tantrum.” Thunberg said her hands were cable-tied and soldiers lined up to take selfies with her as her belongings were gradually cut with knives.
The activist also recounted an encounter with far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who allegedly shouted: “You are terrorists. You want to kill Jewish babies.”
“There’s a lot I don’t remember,” Thunberg added. “So much happening at once. You’re in a state of shock.”
She said jail guards frequently threatened to “gas” the activists and that she was isolated in a cell infested with insects.
The 'Israeli' Foreign Ministry dismissed the allegations as “brazen lies”, stating on October 5: “Greta also did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations, because they never occurred.”
Thunberg also criticized Swedish embassy officials for taking days to meet with the detained Swedes, showing little concern for their alleged mistreatment. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told Aftonbladet that the activists had “exposed themselves to a great risk” by participating in the flotilla mission.
After five days in detention, Thunberg was released and deported. She described the condition of her suitcase as a stark reminder of her ordeal: “The bag was returned to me with ‘wh**e’ and other profanities scribbled on it.”
