Greta Thunberg Abused, Forced to Kiss Israeli Flag After Being Dragged to the Ground

Darwin, October 5 —

Following the detention of humanitarian flotilla workers trying to deliver aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, serious allegations of mistreatment by Israeli forces have emerged.

A report published Saturday by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera cites testimonies from deported aid workers, claiming that internationally renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg was not only harassed, but physically abused and forced to kiss an Israeli flag.

Turkish officials confirmed Saturday that 137 deported activists from countries including the United States, Italy, Malaysia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Turkey had landed in Istanbul.

Dragged to the Ground and Forced to Kiss the Flag

Ersin Çelik, a Turkish journalist who was part of the Gaza Sumud Flotilla, told local media that he personally witnessed Israeli soldiers mistreating Thunberg.

According to his account, she was dragged to the ground and forced to kiss the Israeli flag.

Malaysian human rights activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Winfield Beaver made similar accusations at Istanbul Airport.

They claimed Thunberg was shoved and paraded while holding an Israeli flag. Beaver said,

“Greta was treated in an extremely degrading manner and used as a propaganda tool.”

He further alleged that Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir pushed her into a room when he arrived.

Another flotilla member, Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino, described the incident as “inhumane.”

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, he said,

“Greta Thunberg, a brave young woman just 22 years old, was humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag like a trophy on display.”

Forced to Drink from the Toilet

Other activists also reported serious physical and psychological abuse.

Turkish TV presenter İkbal Gürpınar said,

“They treated us like dogs. We were starved for three days. In the extreme heat, we were forced to drink water from the toilet due to lack of access to clean water.”

She added that the experience gave her “a clearer understanding of what Gaza is going through.”

Turkish activist Ayşin Kantoglu said that while in prison, she saw walls stained with blood and messages written by previous Palestinian detainees.

She explained,

“We saw mothers writing the names of their children on the walls. We now understand, even if only a little, what Palestinians endure.”

Helmi added that detainees were denied access to food, clean water, and medicine.

Abuse and Legal Violations

According to Adalah, an Israeli legal rights organization providing assistance to the activists, detainees were handcuffed with zip ties, forced to kneel for hours, and denied access to legal counsel.

Israel Denies Allegations; Blockade Condemned

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, dismissed all the allegations as “completely false.”

A ministry spokesperson claimed all detainees were provided with food, water, and legal assistance in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, Israel has come under global criticism for blocking nearly 40 aid boats headed for Gaza and detaining over 450 people involved in the mission.

According to Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, 26 Italians were deported, but 15 more remain in Israeli custody.

Italian MP and flotilla member Arturo Scotto stated:

“Those on the boats were acting lawfully. The ones who prevented them from reaching Gaza committed illegal acts.”

Critics say this latest incident further proves that Israel’s blockade of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents is completely unlawful and morally indefensible.