Greta Thunberg mistreated and ‘tortured’ by Israeli forces in detention
Several international activists sent back after being forcibly taken to Israel following raids on the Gaza aid flotilla have accused Israeli forces of mistreating climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The 137 activists that landed in Istanbul on Saturday included 36 Turkish nationals alongside activists from the US, Italy, Malaysia, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, among other countries.
Turkish journalist and Gaza Sumud Flotilla participant Ersin Celik told local media outlets he witnessed Israeli forces “torture Greta Thunberg”, describing how she was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag”.
This is what western states call the only democracy of the Middle East. Torturers through and through.
Cut ties with Israel now.
Break the blockade NOW.
End genocide, illegal occupation and apartheid. https://t.co/nv4WPjl1qR
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) October 4, 2025
Israel denies Thunberg mistreated after flotilla participants say activist ‘dragged on ground’
As we’ve been reporting, activists abducted by Israeli forces from the Global Sumud Flotilla say Greta Thunberg was mistreated and tortured after being forcibly taken to Israel.
In a post on X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote the incident did not take place, saying Thunberg “did not complain to the Israeli authorities” about the mistreatment.
The post comes after Israel’s navy raided the flotilla in international waters and abducted hundreds of activists on board several vessels.
Ersin Celik, a Turkish journalist on one of the vessels, told local media he saw soldiers “torture Greta Thunberg”, saying she was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag”.
Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi, American participant Windfield Beaver and Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino also said Thunberg was roughly treated while detained.
