Dozens of international activists deported from Israel after joining a Gaza aid flotilla have accused Israeli guards of violent and degrading treatment during their detention. The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of around 450 participants, was intercepted by Israeli forces as it attempted to break the naval blockade on Gaza and deliver symbolic humanitarian aid. Upon returning home, activists from Italy, Turkey, and Malaysia recounted experiences of harassment, humiliation, and physical abuse.
Italian activists and journalists described being threatened with weapons, denied medicine and food, and mocked by soldiers. Some said their belongings and money were stolen, while others reported being forced to kneel for hours or drink from toilet water. Among the detained were high-profile figures such as Greta Thunberg, Mandla Mandela (Nelson Mandela’s grandson), and several European lawmakers. Malaysian sisters Heliza and Hazwani Helmi described the treatment as “cruel” and “brutal,” with Hazwani recalling Israeli guards who ignored sick detainees, saying, “If they’re not dead, that’s not my problem.”
Reports also emerged that Thunberg was dragged, forced to kiss the Israeli flag, and used as propaganda, adding to the outrage. In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed all accounts of abuse as “brazen lies,” claiming that detainees’ legal rights were respected and that Thunberg herself never filed a complaint. However, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, contradicted this statement, saying he was “proud” of the harsh treatment the activists received, labeling them “supporters of terrorism.”
The incident has sparked international condemnation from countries including Pakistan, Turkey, and Colombia, as well as protests and diplomatic complaints from nations such as Greece and Spain, whose citizens were among the detainees. Israel confirmed it deported 29 more activists on Sunday, though many remain in custody. The controversy has intensified global criticism of Israel’s handling of the Gaza blockade, highlighting deep divisions over its policies toward both Palestinians and international solidarity movements.
Source:
Hume, T. (2025, October 5). More Gaza flotilla activists allege mistreatment in Israeli detention. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/5/more-gaza-flotilla-activists-allege-mistreatment-in-israeli-detention