Activists report mistreatment of Greta Thunberg by Israeli forces during her detention.

Several international activists, including notable climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were recently deported from Israel after participating in a flotilla aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. This group of 137 deportees arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, encompassing 36 Turkish nationals alongside activists from diverse backgrounds, including the United States, Italy, Malaysia, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Libya, and Jordan, as confirmed by Turkish officials.

Ersin Celik, a Turkish journalist and participant in the Gaza Sumud Flotilla, relayed to local media that he observed the mistreatment of Thunberg, alleging that she was “dragged on the ground” and coerced into kissing an Israeli flag. Other activists, such as Malaysian participant Hazwani Helmi and American Windfield Beaver, offered similar accounts at Istanbul Airport, alleging that Thunberg was roughly handled and displayed with an Israeli flag.

Helmi described the experience as shocking, stating that the deportees faced inhumane conditions, being deprived of food, clean water, and necessary medication. Beaver echoed these sentiments, highlighting that Thunberg was subjected to severe mistreatment and used in a manner that some perceive as propagandistic. He recalled how she was taken into a room as far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered.

Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino, who also participated in the flotilla, expressed his concern over the treatment of Thunberg, referring to her as a courageous individual who was inappropriately showcased for political purposes. The experiences of other deportees were equally distressing; Turkish TV presenter Ikbal Gurpinar described the harsh treatment they endured, mentioning neglect in food and water, and recounting how some were driven to drink from the toilet during a particularly hot period.

Activist Aycin Kantoglu shared her harrowing experience within detention, describing bloodstained walls and messages left by previous detainees, which illuminated the struggles faced by Palestinians. She remarked that her ordeal provided her with deeper insight into the realities of life under occupation.

In political responses, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that 26 Italian citizens were deported, while 15 remained in custody pending expulsion. Italian MP Arturo Scotto, who was part of the flotilla, emphasized that those aboard the boats acted legally, contrasting them with those who obstructed their mission to reach Gaza.

Adalah, an Israeli rights organization, reported allegations from detainees of being forced to kneel with restricted hands for extended periods, denied medication, and barred from contacting legal representatives. However, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed these claims, asserting that all detainees received the necessary provisions and legal access.

This incident follows a larger pattern of criticism regarding Israel’s interception of humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where ongoing conflicts have significantly affected the local population of 2.3 million. The flotilla represents a continued global commitment to breaking the blockade imposed on Gaza and delivering much-needed assistance to the Palestinian people.

#WorldNews #MiddleEastNews