Greta Thunberg mistreated by Israeli forces in detention, say activists | News Israel-Palestine Conflict

Several international activists expelled from Israel after joining a Flotilla de Gaza Aid accused the Israeli forces of having mistreated climate activist Greta Thunberg.

The 137 deportees landed in Istanbul on Saturday, including 36 Turkish nationals alongside militants from the United States, Italy, Malaysia, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan and other countries, confirmed Turkish officials.

Ersin Celik, Turkish journalist and participant in Gaza Sumud Flatilla, told local media that he had witnessed Israeli forces “torturing Greta Thunberg”, describing how she was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag”.

Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and the American participant Windfield Beaver gave accounts similar to Istanbul airport, alleging that Thunberg was pushed and paraded with an Israeli flag.

“It was a disaster. They have treated us like animals,” said Helmi, adding that prisoners were refused food, drinking water and medicines.

Beaver said Thunberg was “treated terribly” and “used as propaganda”, recalling how it was pushed into a room while the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir entered.

Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino, who had been on the flotilla, also cited the treatment of Thunberg.

“Greta Thunberg, a courageous woman, was only 22 years old. She was humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag and exposed like a trophy,” he told Anadolu.

Others have described serious ill -treatment. Turkish television presenter Ikbal Gurpinar said, “They have treated us like dogs. They left us hungry for three days. They did not give us water; We had to drink in the toilet … It was a terribly hot day, and we were all roasted. ” She said that the test had “a better understanding of Gaza”.

Turkish activist Aycin Kantoglu said prison walls stained with blood and messages scribbled by previous detainees. “We have seen mothers write the names of their children on the walls. We have actually experienced a little of what the Palestinians are going through, “she said.

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said that 26 Italians had been expelled, while 15 remained in police custody while waiting for an expulsion.

Italian deputy Arturo Scotto, who was on the flotilla, told journalists: “Those who actually acted were people aboard these boats; Those who acted illegally were those who prevented them from reaching Gaza. ”

Adalah, a group for the defense of Israeli rights providing legal aid, said the prisoners said they were forced to kneel with zipper for hours, refused drugs and prevented from speaking with lawyers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel has rejected complaints as “complete lies”, insisting that all detainees were treated under the law.

“All the allegations of Adalah are complete lies. Of course, all prisoners … have had access to water, food and toilets; they did not refuse access to a legal advisor, and all their legal rights have been fully maintained,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Reuters news agency.

Israel faced a growing conviction for the raid on the flotilla, which saw its navy intercept about 40 boats carrying aid to Gaza and hold more than 450 people on board.

Critics say that the aggression underlines the illegality of the blockade of Israel, which cut the 2.3 million residents of the enclave during the in the course of Israel against Gaza.

Flotilla, launched at the end of August, was the last international effort to break the headquarters of Israel and provide help to the Palestinians.