Israel rejects abuse claims by Thunberg, other flotilla activists; Ben Gvir touts harsh prison conditions

Israel says claims of mistreatment of Greta Thunberg and other members of the Global Sumud flotilla are “brazen lies,” but a government minister in charge of prisons says he is proud they are being treated like terrorists.

“All the detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld,” writes the Foreign Ministry on X.

The legal aid organization Adalah claimed on Saturday that numerous activists have reported being mistreated, with some saying that they were denied food and water and others reporting that they have been manhandled by Israeli law enforcement. Thunberg, a well-known climate activist, has reportedly suffered from bed bugs during her detention.

The Foreign Ministry notes that Thunberg and others have refused deportation, despite the claims.

“Interestingly enough, Greta herself and other detainees refused to expedite their deportation and insisted on prolonging their stay in custody,” it writes. “Greta also did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations — because they never occurred.”

However, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir says he is “proud” of the harsh conditions the activists are subjected to in the prison where they are being held.

“I went to visit Ketziot prison and I was proud that we are treating the ‘flotilla activists’ as terror supporters, whoever supports terrorism is a terrorist, and deserves the conditions of terrorists… It is worthwhile for them to experience the conditions in Ketziot prison, and think twice before they come close to Israel again. That’s how it works,” he says.

Thunberg has reportedly met with Swedish embassy officials although she has yet to meet with a lawyer, according to Adalah, which is representing the flotilla activists in legal proceedings to facilitate their deportation from Israel.

Ben Gvir, a far-right minister, insists that the flotilla had no aid for Gaza despite its claims.

“I was there, on their boats, I didn’t see aid and I didn’t see humanitarian. I saw one Materna [baby formula] and an entire wild party of people who were dressing up as human rights activists, but who in practice came to support terrorism and to celebrate [at our expense],” says Ben Gvir.