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Maritime scene with sailboats, text about Greta Thunberg and detainee mistreatment.
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Activists claim Greta Thunberg was mistreated as flotilla detainees reach Turkey

Emily Johnson
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Activists Return to Turkey, Allege Mistreatment of Thunberg

137 activists deported from Israel claim Greta Thunberg was mistreated during detention. Israel denies allegations of maltreatment.

  • Activists deported from Israel arrive in Istanbul
  • Claims of mistreatment of Greta Thunberg
  • Israel detained around 450 activists
  • 36 Turkish and 26 Italian activists onboard
  • Israel calls detainees' treatment "complete lies"
  • Italy's Foreign Minister addresses treatment of Italians
  • Legal rights alleged to have been violated
  • Flotilla aimed to challenge Gaza blockade

A total of 137 activists deported by Israel after attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza arrived at Istanbul Airport on October 4. Two of the deportees alleged that Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg was mistreated during her detention.

Arrival and Nationalities

Turkey’s foreign ministry confirmed the group comprised 36 Turkish nationals and citizens of the United States, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan.[1]

Allegations of Mistreatment

Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American activist Windfield Beaver reported seeing Thunberg shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag while in detention. Helmi described detainees as being “treated like animals,” alleging they were denied clean food and water and had medications confiscated. Beaver said Thunberg was “used as propaganda” and “treated terribly,” noting she was pushed into a room when Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited.[2]

Israeli Denial of Claims

Israel’s foreign ministry denied all allegations, calling them “complete lies.” In posts on X, it stated that detainees were “safe and in good health,” had access to water, food, restrooms, and legal counsel, and that all legal rights were fully upheld. The ministry also accused some activists of “deliberately obstructing” deportation procedures, a claim Reuters could not independently verify.[2]

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that 26 Italian nationals were on the flight to Istanbul, with 15 others still in Israel awaiting deportation in the coming days. He instructed the Italian embassy in Tel Aviv to ensure their rights were respected. Four Italian parliamentarians from the flotilla arrived in Rome on October 3, condemning Israel’s interception as both “brutal” and unlawful.[2]

The Israeli legal aid organization Adalah reported that some detainees were denied access to lawyers, water, medications, and toilets, and were forced to kneel with hands zip-tied for hours after chanting “Free Palestine.” Israel reiterated that all detainees received proper legal treatment and basic needs.[2]

Context of the Gaza Flotilla

The flotilla, consisting of approximately 40 vessels, departed in late August to protest and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Over several days, Israeli naval forces intercepted the convoy and detained more than 450 activists. Supporters argue that the blockade exacerbates Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, while Israel maintains it is a legal measure to prevent weapons smuggling amid ongoing hostilities with Hamas.

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Senior Political Journalist

United States – Washington, D.C. World

Emily Johnson is a senior journalist and political analyst with nearly a decade of experience in political journalism, international affairs, policy analysis, and investigative reporting. She holds a B.A. in Journalism & Political Communication from Georgetown University (2015), where she built a strong foundation in international relations, media ethics, and data-driven reporting. Emily began her career as a staff writer for Reuters before joining Politico Europe, where she became known for her evidence-based and policy-focused coverage of global political developments, leadership transitions, and international diplomacy. Currently based in Berlin, Germany, she contributes to Faharas NET, focusing on global politics, European policy, and cross-border investigations. Her writing blends rigorous fact-checking, accessible analysis, and deep geopolitical insight, earning her a reputation for credibility and balance in an increasingly polarized media landscape.

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Reuters is a global news agency and multimedia news provider that supplies news, financial, and other information to media organizations, businesses, and governments worldwide. Founded in 1851, it operates under a set of Trust Principles that emphasize independence, integrity, and freedom from bias in its reporting.

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
SEO improvements have been made to the article.
— by Howayda Sayed
Organized sections by logical journalistic order for clarity.
— by Howayda Sayed
Linked allegations and denials to named witnesses and ministries.
— by Howayda Sayed
Verified figures and nationalities using official sources.
— by Howayda Sayed
Replaced the headline with a clearer, more factual version.
— by Howayda Sayed
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Howayda Sayed
  1. Verify the exact count of deportees and their nationalities using official Turkish flight records and foreign ministry releases.
  2. Seek additional eyewitness accounts or medical reports to corroborate allegations regarding Greta Thunberg’s treatment.
  3. Attribute every claim precisely, employing neutral language such as “alleged” for unverified assertions.
  4. Include bylines (reporters’ names and locations) and the publication date prominently to meet transparency standards.
  5. Add concise historical context on previous flotilla incidents, such as the 2010 Mavi Marmara event, to inform readers of the broader pattern.
  6. Maintain short, keyword-rich headings without ampersands and organize sections by news priority to improve clarity and SEO.

FAQ

What happened to the activists in detention?

They allege mistreatment and denial of basic rights.

How has Israel responded to the allegations?

Israel has denied all claims of mistreatment.

What was the goal of the flotilla?

To deliver aid to Gaza and challenge the blockade.

Related Posts

Table of Contents

Arrival and NationalitiesAllegations of MistreatmentIsraeli Denial of ClaimsItalian Activists and Legal SafeguardsContext of the Gaza Flotilla