Activists Accuse Israel of Mistreatment During Gaza Relief Convoy Detention

Allegations of Mistreatment Against Greta Thunberg

A group of 137 individuals, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, was detained by Israel while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Upon their arrival at a Turkish airport, activists reported instances of mistreatment during their detention.

Following their detention, the group was expelled to Turkey on Saturday. Two activists claimed that Thunberg faced abuse while in custody.

According to reports from a news agency, Israel has not provided immediate comments on these new allegations. However, previously, the Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed claims of mistreatment as 'completely false.'

Diverse Nationalities Among Detained Activists

Sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry indicated that among the activists arriving at Istanbul Airport were 36 Turkish citizens, along with individuals from the USA, UAE, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan.

Witness Accounts of Abuse

Malaysian citizen Hajwani Helmi and American Winfield Beaver reported witnessing mistreatment of Thunberg at the Istanbul airport. They stated that she was pushed and forced to wear an Israeli flag. Helmi described the experience as horrifying, claiming they were treated like animals, deprived of clean water, food, and their belongings were confiscated.

Statements from Italian Officials

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that 26 Italian citizens arrived in Turkey via Turkish Airlines, while 15 others remain in Israel and are expected to be expelled soon. Tajani instructed the Italian embassy in Tel Aviv to ensure that the remaining citizens are treated with respect for their rights.

Forced to Chant 'Free Palestine'

Earlier, a group including four Italian lawmakers returned to Rome. One lawmaker, Arturo Scotto, stated that they were acting legally and accused Israel of illegal actions that prevented them from reaching Gaza. Another lawmaker, Benedetta Scuderi, described their treatment as brutal, claiming they were taken hostage.

The Israeli organization Adalah, which is providing legal assistance to the activists, reported that some detainees were denied access to lawyers, water, medications, and even toilets. According to the organization, some individuals were restrained for at least five hours in a kneeling position until they chanted 'Free Palestine.'