Israel has addressed the claims regarding Greta Thunberg’s alleged mistreatment and ‘bedbug infested cell’ after her detention. The Swedish activist, deported alongside other protesters, has spoken out about harsh conditions. Read more about the controversy and Israel’s response.
Israel has issued a statement addressing the situation surrounding Greta Thunberg after the Swedish activist was allegedly “mistreated” during her detention. Thunberg, who was detained following an attempt to enter Gaza, was reportedly kept in a “bedbug-infested” cell, a claim that sparked widespread media attention.
Thunberg, 22, had been attempting to provide aid to those suffering under the blockade in Gaza. She has previously made efforts to enter Gaza on multiple occasions, aiming to support those affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Reports from Gaza have painted a dire picture of widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease, further fueling her efforts to provide humanitarian aid.
After her detention, Thunberg shared a video on social media, claiming she was “abducted” by Israeli forces. In the video, she discussed her treatment while in custody, describing the harsh conditions. According to an email obtained by The Guardian, Swedish officials were informed that Thunberg’s cell was infested with bedbugs, and she was given inadequate food and water.
The email described Thunberg as being dehydrated, with insufficient food and water. She also reported developing rashes, which she believed were caused by the bedbug infestation. Thunberg mentioned that she was subjected to harsh treatment and forced to sit for long periods on hard surfaces. An additional report from another detainee suggested that Thunberg had been made to hold flags while pictures were taken, leaving her to wonder if those images had been shared publicly.
In response, Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that Thunberg had been deported alongside 170 other activists. Photos shared by Israeli officials showed Thunberg and the other activists at an airport in matching gray sweatsuits, indicating that they were being deported.
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Israel strongly denied the claims of mistreatment. The country’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations of a “bedbug-infested cell” as “complete lies,” emphasizing that all detainees had been provided with food, water, and access to legal counsel. They added that the legal rights of all detainees had been fully respected, and medical care was accessible to those in need.
The activists, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, had organized a campaign to deliver aid to Gaza. The flotilla included over 40 boats and nearly 450 activists. However, their vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces before they could reach their destination.
While the dispute continues, Israel has called the claims part of a “pre-planned fake news campaign,” further escalating the controversy surrounding Thunberg’s detention.
