Greta Thunberg Reports Harsh Treatment in Israel's Custody

Climate activist the Swedish activist has notified her country's diplomats that she is subjected to unacceptable conditions while in custody by Israel's forces, based on correspondence seen.

These reports also suggest that another detainee reported Israeli forces captured images of Thunberg while she was allegedly forced to carry banners, the identity of which remains unidentified.

Detention Environment Described

Through a message issued from the the country's officials to associates of Thunberg, an diplomat who visited her in custody reported she described being held in a room filled with pests, with inadequate food and water.

“The embassy were able to meet with Greta,” says the communication. “She informed us of dehydration. She has received inadequate quantities of both hydration and nutrition. She also indicated that she had developed redness which she thinks were caused by pests. She spoke of harsh treatment and said she had been forced to sit for extended times on firm ground.”

“Another detainee allegedly informed foreign officials that they had observed her [the activist] being made to carry flags while images were taken. She questioned whether pictures of her had been shared,” the Swedish ministry’s official noted.

Context of the Flotilla

Thunberg is one of hundreds of participants including elected officials, legal experts, and campaigners who are involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition of numerous ships carrying assistance with the goal of breaching Israel’s longstanding naval closure of the region.

Over a two-day period, naval units intercepted all the boats and took into custody those on board. A large number of them are being kept at a prison, also known as a detention center, a detention site in the Negev desert used primarily to detain individuals from the region, many of whom authorities accuses of participating in militant or terrorist activities.

Judicial Concerns and Past Incidents

Previously, campaigners detained by Israeli authorities were not tried and instead their presence was considered an administrative issue.

Per legal representatives from the rights organization, the protections of the participants have been “systematically violated”, stating that detainees were refused hydration, sanitation, medication, and prompt contact to their attorneys, “in clear breach of their fundamental rights to legal procedure, unbiased proceedings and attorney access”.

Lawyers from Italy acting for the mission reported those detained were left “for a long time without nourishment or drink – until late last night”, with the exclusion of “a snack handed to Greta and presented to the cameras.” Lawyers also mentioned occurrences of mistreatment.

Official Remarks and Reactions

During a visit to the port city on the evening, Israel’s nationalist political figure, Itamar Ben-Gvir, was seen labeling the individuals “terrorists” as he appeared in front of them.

“These are the terrorists of the mission,” he stated, using the local language and gesturing toward a large group sitting on the ground. His spokesperson confirmed the footage was shot at the facility on that day.

Several individuals were observed yelling: “End the occupation.”

The official has previously advocated for the activists to be imprisoned rather than expelled.

Past Arrests and Conditions

Subsequent to being taken into custody, the flotilla’s legal team raised alarms over the handling the participants might encounter, especially those who had earlier been detained by Israeli authorities after efforts to challenge Gaza’s naval blockade. This represents the second time the activist has been arrested alongside other flotilla members, after a similar attempt previously resulted in the detention of participants and deportation.

Baptiste André, who was on one of the boats of the Flotilla in the summer, stated to journalists upon his arrival home that he saw authorities ridicule and intentionally deny individuals of sleep, in particular Thunberg.

Administrative Procedures and Paperwork

The diplomat noted in the message that Thunberg was instructed by officials to approve a form.

“She was unsure about what the document signified and did not want to endorse anything she did not grasp,” says the message. The representative wrote that the activist has had access to an attorney.

Adalah previously noted about the legal process that although Israeli authorities would have a record of repeat participants in humanitarian missions, participants, such as the activist, were usually handled in the identical manner as first-time participants, facing temporary holding and expulsion.

Inquiries were made to the detention authorities, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, but none has yet responded.