Greta Thunberg is a prominent Swedish climate activist who gained international attention after her detention by Israeli authorities in October 2025. She was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an effort by activists to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza amid a strict Israeli naval blockade. Thunberg and hundreds of other activists were intercepted at sea, detained under harsh conditions, and later deported. Her detention sparked widespread international debate about the treatment of activists and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with Thunberg herself alleging mistreatment while Israeli officials denied these claims and maintained that detainees’ rights were respected.[1][2][3]
Detention and Deportation
- Greta Thunberg was detained by Israeli authorities in early October 2025 after participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian effort to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.
- About 478 activists from 42 vessels were detained; approximately 170 were deported with Thunberg on October 6, 2025, mainly to Greece and Slovakia.
- Around 138 activists remained in Israeli custody post-deportation, held in Ketziot prison under reported substandard conditions.[1][3][5]
Legal and Custodial Status
- Official court records indicate Thunberg made no formal complaints regarding her treatment during detention.
- She reportedly declined expedited deportation, choosing instead to remain in custody longer to support other detainees.
- Israeli authorities maintain that detainees’ legal rights were respected and refuse allegations of mistreatment, calling such claims “brazen lies” and “fake news”.[3][1]
Allegations of Mistreatment and Conditions
- Multiple activists, including Thunberg, described harsh conditions and abuse: being forced to pose with Israeli flags, verbal abuse, denial of food, water, and medication.
- Thunberg detailed physical abuse including being kicked, beaten, forced to undress, and held in insect-infested cells.
- She reported verbal insults in Swedish and described an intimidating atmosphere with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir personally berating detainees.
- Other detainees corroborated claims of physical and psychological abuse, including use of dogs, forced kneeling, and confiscation of possessions.[2][4][6][7][8]
