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The Israeli Foreign Ministry denied claims of mistreatment of Greta Thunberg and others from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla, stating all legal rights were upheld amid global protests.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg sits at an unknown location after the Israeli interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. (Reuters)
The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Sunday rejected allegations of mistreatment of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other detainees who were part of the Hamas–Sumud flotilla, calling the claims “brazen lies.”
In a statement, the ministry said that all detainees’ legal rights were “fully upheld” during their time in custody and that no credible complaints were lodged by Thunberg or others regarding their treatment.
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“The claims regarding the mistreatment of Greta Thunberg and other detainees from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla are brazen lies. All the detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld,” the statement read.
The ministry further added that Thunberg and other activists had refused to expedite their deportation process, instead choosing to remain in custody longer. “Interestingly enough, Greta herself and other detainees refused to expedite their deportation and insisted on prolonging their stay in custody,” it said. “Greta also did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations – because they never occurred,” it added.
This comes after Israel on Saturday deported 137 activists, who were detained while taking part in an aid flotilla bound for Gaza. The flotilla activists alleged that they were subjected to violence and “treated like animals,” with two claiming that Thunberg faced particularly harsh mistreatment.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail last month seeking to ferry aid to war-battered Gaza, but Israel blocked the boats and detained more than 400 people, prompting worldwide protests. At least 137 of them flew into Istanbul on Saturday, 36 of them being Turkish nationals.
Two activists, Hazwani Helmi of Malaysia and Windfield Beaver of the United States, told Reuters they witnessed Thunberg being mistreated, claiming she was shoved and compelled to wear an Israeli flag.
“It was a disaster. They treated us like animals,” said Helmi, 28, while Beaver said Thunberg was “treated terribly” and “used as propaganda”, describing how she was pushed into a room as Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, arrived.
A first group of Italians from the flotilla – four parliamentarians – arrived in Rome on Friday. The Israeli interception of the flotilla on international waters sparked worldwide protests, from Europe to Australia and South America.
Approximately 15,000 people took to the streets of Barcelona to protest Israel’s actions, according to the city’s municipal police. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Gaza, you are not alone,” “Boycott Israel,” and “Freedom for Palestine.” Similar demonstrations were held in Berlin, The Hague, Tunis, Brasília, and Buenos Aires.
Israel
October 05, 2025, 15:44 IST
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