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]
Italian Activists and Legal Safeguards
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.



