137 activists detained by Israel, including Greta Thunberg, returned to Turkey after being deported. Some activists allege mistreatment during their detention.
Flotilla Activists Arrive in Turkey
The activists, consisting of 36 Turkish nationals and others from various countries, landed at Istanbul Airport after being deported from Israel. This included activists from the United States, Italy, and several other nations.
Two activists reported that Greta Thunberg was mistreated, stating she was shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag. The Israeli foreign ministry previously denied all allegations of mistreatment.
Israel’s Response to Allegations
Israel described claims of maltreatment as unfounded, asserting that all detainees were safe and healthy. In a separate post, they accused some activists of obstructing their deportation.
Italy’s Foreign Minister confirmed that 26 Italian activists were on the flight, while another 15 are still detained and expected to be deported soon. Italy is monitoring the situation closely.
Further Allegations of Mistreatment
Reports from Adalah, a legal support group, indicated that many detainees faced denial of basic needs, such as access to water and legal representation. They also claimed detainees were forced to kneel for hours.
Israel rejected these claims, insisting that all legal rights were upheld for the detainees. The flotilla was part of an effort to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
