Greta โThunberg Reports Dehydration, Rashes, โขand Alleged Mistreatment During Detention in Israel
TEL โAVIV -โ Climateโ activist Greta โขThunberg has reported experiencing dehydration, developing โrashes, and โalleged โขmistreatment while detained by Israeli forces following the interception โof the Global Sumud flotilla attemptingโฃ to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, Swedish diplomacy reported Saturday, October 5, 2025.
Thunberg was among 437 activists, parliamentarians, and lawyers participating inโค theโฃ flotilla -โค a โcoalition of overโข 40 ships carrying humanitarian aid – when Israeli forces intercepted the vessels.โค Hundreds were arrested โandโ are awaiting expulsion.โ 137 activists from thirteen countries, โฃincluding Thunberg, were scheduled to โfly to Istanbul on Saturday.
According to reports from Swedish officials, Thunberg stated she did not receiveโค sufficient water or food during herโ detention. She also suspects rashesโ she developedโค were caused by bedbugs. “She insisted that food and drinking water should be provided instantly and โthatโ all prisoners must have access to an Israeli lawyer ifโ they wish,” Swedish diplomacy relayed.
Further allegations of mistreatment have surfaced. Another detainee reportedโข Israeli โคsoldiers took photographs ofโค Thunberg allegedlyโ forcing her to brandish flags.Turkish activistโ Ersin รงelik, also participating inโ the Sumud flotilla, told the Anadolu press agency, โ”They dragged the little Greta โwith โฃthe hair before our eyes, beat her and forced her to kiss the Israeliโข flag. They did everything we can imagine, to serve as a warning to others.”
On Friday,representatives of the โSweden Embassy in Tel Aviv โwere โขauthorizedโค to visit nine Swedish citizensโข detained in Ketziot prison,located in โฃthe Negev desert. The โMinistryโ of Foreign Affairs has not released the identitiesโ of the othre detainees.
Sweden has โขformally requested Israel provide the โdetained Swedes with drinking water, food, and medical treatment without delay.
Israel has maintained a seaโ blockade ofโข Gaza for 16 years, citing security concerns.Theโฃ Global Sumud flotilla aimed to โขchallenge this blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the region.
