Greta Thunberg Alleges ⁤Harsh prison Conditions Following gaza Flotilla ⁤Arrest

Following her​ arrest by Israeli forces‍ after participating in a Gaza-bound flotilla, ⁣Greta Thunberg has reported ⁣tough conditions and alleged mistreatment while in Israeli custody. Israel has dismissed the claims as false.

Thunberg informed Swedish authorities of‌ her​ experiences ​after being detained ⁢wiht other participants of the Global‍ Sumud-Flottille, a network of over 40 ships attempting to⁤ breach Israel’s 16-year seaside blockade of Gaza. The details was relayed in correspondence reported by the British ​newspaper‍ The Guardian.

According to an email from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign⁣ Affairs to ​individuals connected to Thunberg, ​an ‍official who visited her in⁢ prison stated she reported ⁢dehydration, a lack of food ​and water, and rashes possibly caused by bed bugs. “She reported dehydration. She received⁢ neither water nor food.She ⁢also stated that she developed rashes‌ that were ⁢probably caused by bed bugs.⁢ She spoke of brutal treatment and said that she had been sitting on hard surfaces for a long time,” the email reads.

The official also noted a report from another prisoner alleging that Thunberg was‍ “forced to hold flags while taking photos,” raising concerns that images of her might have been disseminated.

At ⁤least ⁤two other members of the flotilla, who were arrested and afterward released on Saturday, corroborated the allegations. Turkish activist Ersin Çelik, a participant in the Sumud-Flottille, told the Anadolu news agency, “You ⁢have dragged the little​ Greta ‌on our hair, ⁢beaten and forced her to kiss the Israeli⁤ flag. You have done all possible to her, as a warning ⁤for others.” Lorenzo d’Agostino, a journalist and fellow flotilla participant, stated upon ⁢his return to Istanbul that Thunberg “was wrapped in the Israeli flag and demonstrated like a trophy,” a scene described ⁤by witnesses as shocking, according to The Guardian.

Thunberg is among the 437 ‍activists, parliamentarians, ⁣and lawyers who comprised the Global Sumud-Flottille. Israeli armed​ forces intercepted all vessels between Thursday and Friday, arresting all crew members.​ The majority are being held at Ketziot, also⁤ known ⁣as Ansar III, a high-security prison in the negev desert⁣ primarily housing Palestinian​ prisoners, many of whom are‍ accused of involvement in militant⁢ or terrorist ⁣activities.

In response to the⁣ allegations, the Israeli authorities stated that the‍ claims are “complete ‌lies.” A statement asserted that “All prisoners of the hamas-Sumud provocation were given access to water, food and toilets. They were not denied ‌access⁢ to legal counsel and all their rights, including ‍access to medical care, were met in‌ full.” The statement⁢ further emphasized, “Israel is and​ remains a constitutional​ state that feels committed ⁤to maintain the rights and dignity of everyone in harmony with international standards.”