Activists deported from Israel say Greta Thunberg was mistreated during detention, alleging she was shoved and used for propaganda.
ISTANBUL: Over 130 activists detained by Israel for joining a flotilla delivering aid to Gaza have arrived in Turkey after being deported. Among them, two detainees alleged that Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was mistreated while in custody.
The group of 137 included 36 Turkish nationals and others from countries such as the US, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.
Two activists, Malaysian citizen Hazwani Helmi and American citizen Windfield Beaver, told Reuters at Istanbul Airport that they saw Thunberg being mistreated. They claimed she was shoved, forced to wear an Israeli flag, and denied proper food and water along with other detainees.
“It was a disaster. They treated us like animals,” said Helmi, 28, adding that the detainees’ medication and personal belongings were confiscated. Beaver, 43, described Thunberg’s treatment as “terrible” and accused Israeli authorities of using her “as propaganda.” He said she was “pushed into a room” during the visit of Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The flotilla, which was attempting to reach Gaza by sea with humanitarian supplies, was intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this week. The activists have since been deported after being held for questioning.
Thunberg, known for her outspoken activism on climate change and human rights, has not yet made a public statement about the incident. Turkish officials have condemned the alleged mistreatment and said they would raise the issue through diplomatic channels.
