Greta Thunberg ‘Beat, … Forced to Kiss Israeli Flag,’ Say Flotilla Members

05 Oct, 2025

By Eli Sachs

This is a developing story. All claims made in this article have not been verified unless otherwise stated.

For additional background on the Global Sumud Flotilla, please read our prior article.

UPDATE:

Swedish lawyers, led by Sena Eliküçük, are preparing to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) alleging human rights violations against Greta Thunberg and other activists detained by Israeli authorities after their Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted. Greta Thunberg reportedly suffered harsh treatment in Israeli custody, including dehydration, insufficient food and water, bedbug bites, and being forced to hold flags for photos. Eyewitnesses also alleged she was dragged by her hair, beaten, and forced to kiss the Israeli flag, claims which Israel denies. The legal team aims to raise these abuses with UN human rights bodies and potentially the ICC as part of seeking accountability for the treatment of flotilla detainees.

"They dragged little Greta [Thunberg] by her hair before our eyes, beat her, and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag. They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others."

"[Israeli forces] severely tortured Greta before our eyes. They persecuted her ... Greta is just a little child. They made her crawl and made her kiss the Israeli flag. They did exactly what the Nazis did once."

An email sent by the Swedish foreign ministry to people close to Greta Thunberg is the only direct source addressing her treatment while in Israeli custody. According to that email, she suffered from dehydration, was given insufficient amounts of water and food, and developed rashes she suspects were caused by bedbugs.

Accounts

Ersin Celik told CNN Turk that, following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, Greta Thunberg was subjected to “degrading treatment” and “severe torture” by Israeli forces.

Lorenzo D’Agostino described seeing Greta “wrapped in the Israeli flag and paraded like a trophy,” expressing shock and anger at what he witnessed.

Sarah Wilkinson characterized the detention center being a “derelict prison” with water contaminated with fecal matter, insect-infested food, and sleep deprivation tactics.

Heliza and Hazwani Helmi stated:

"Can you imagine we drank from the toilet water? Some people were very, very sick, but they [the Israelis] said: ‘Are they dead? If not, then that’s not my problem.’ They are very, very cruel people, and I think the world needs to tell that the Israelis are very, very cruel people."

Israel’s official response

Itamar Ben Gvir, the National Security Minister, responded to the claims by stating:

“I am proud of the prison service fighters who acted according to the policy that [Prison Service] Commissioner Kobi Yacobi and I outlined. I was on their ships — I saw neither aid nor humanitarianism … [I] visited Ketziot prison and was proud that we treat ‘flotilla activists’ as terror supporters…”

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This statement is in direct contrast to that made by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which rejected the allegations as "ludicrous," baseless," and "brazen lies." They also added that detainees declined offers to fast-track their deportation and opted instead to “prolong their stay in custody.”

The claims regarding the mistreatment of Greta Thunberg and other detainees from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla are brazen lies.
All the detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld.
Interestingly enough, Greta herself and other detainees refused to expedite their deportation and insisted…

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 5, 2025

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Updated 06 Oct, 2025 to include newly unfolding coverage.

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