Greta Thunberg mistreated, forced to kiss Israeli flag by Israeli army in detention, claims activist on board

Activists who accompanied Greta Thunberg on a mission to deliver aid to Gaza via flotilla claimed that the Swedish climate activist was mistreated and dragged by her hair by the Israeli army, according to reports.

As reported to Reuters, Greta Thunberg was allegedly shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag.

Hazwani Helmi, speaking to a Reuters reporter, said they witnessed how she was mistreated and forced to wear the flag. He added that around 137 activists were detained for attempting to supply humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Another Turkish activist, Eksin Celik, reportedly said that Greta was asked to kiss the Israeli flag and was beaten by the forces.

While Israel has not immediately commented on the allegations, its foreign ministry earlier described reports of mistreatment of detainees as complete lies.

The fleet, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, had departed from Spain last month with around 45 vessels carrying nearly 500 participants, including lawmakers, lawyers, and campaigners. 

Their mission was to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, a territory the UN has warned is facing famine. The boats were reportedly carrying food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid when they were intercepted roughly 70 nautical miles from Gaza, inside what Israel described as an active combat zone. 

Organisers claimed that their communications, including live-stream feeds, were jammed during the operation.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)