International activists detained by Israel on charges of involvement in an attempt to assist Gaza have made serious allegations of allegedly misbehaving with Swedish activist Gita Thunberg. Activists have said that Thunberg was forced to wear an Israeli flag, beaten and dragged by hair.
About 137 exiled activists, who arrived in Türkiye on Saturday, informed about the harsh behavior during their custody.
Allegations of misconduct with Thunberg
Two activists, Malaysian citizen Hazwani Helmi and American citizen Windfield Beaver told Reuters that they saw Thunberg abuse.
Helmi and Beaver reported that Thunberg was pushed and was reportedly forced to wear an Israeli flag.
Turkish activist Arsinselic told Anadolu news agency that security forces dragged Thunberg to their hair, beaten and ‘forced to kiss the Israeli flag’. Arsinselic alleged that ‘she was treated as a warning to others.’
In an email seen by The Guardian, the Swedish Foreign Ministry told people close to Thunberg that an officer had met him in jail. According to the official, Thunberg had complained of rashes due to dehydration, insufficient food and water being kept in a closet filled with water.
Also read this: I hope that the release of all the hostages from Gaza will be announced: Netanyahu
Other activists told ‘behavior like animals’
Other detained activists also accused Israeli forces of inhuman behavior.
Helmi, 28, said, ‘It was a tragedy. He treated us like animals. ‘ He alleged that the prisoners were not given clean food or water, and their medicines and goods were confiscated.
Beaver, 43, said Thunberg was ‘bad behavior’ and was ‘used as promotion’. He said that he was pushed into a room after the arrival of Israeli’s right-wing National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gwir.
According to the Israeli group Adala, who provided legal aid to the workers, some detainees were denied access to lawyers, water, medicines and toilets. Adala also said that some participants who raised the slogan ‘Free Palestine’ were forced to sit on their knees by tying their hands with a zip for at least five hours.
Also read this: Strong winds were caused due to the tropical storm ‘prince’ in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of Mexico
Israel’s response to allegations
Israel has denied these allegations. Previously, the Israeli Foreign Ministry described the news of misconduct with prisoners as ‘completely lies’.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry wrote on X that all the detained workers are ‘safe and good in health’, and the remaining exile asked to complete ‘as soon as possible’.
Israel denied Adala’s allegations, saying that all the prisoners were provided with water, food and toilets. A spokesperson told Reuters that he was not prevented from taking legal advice and ‘all his legal rights were fully respected.’
International reaction
The Israeli army had stopped about 40 boats of a fleet carrying assistance in Gaza and detained more than 450 activists, after which it faced international condemnation. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X that Turkish Airlines aircraft had 26 Italian citizens, while 15 others are still in Israel. He has instructed the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to ensure respect for the rights of the remaining citizens.
This fleet was the latest attempt to challenge Israeli’s naval blockade on the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials have condemned this campaign as a publicity stunt.