Greta Thunberg has recounted a terrifying experience during her recent attempt to deliver aid to Gaza, describing what she called a “torturous” five days in Israeli custody.
The 22-year-old Swedish environmental activist was part of the Freedom Flotilla, a convoy of more than 40 vessels trying to break the maritime blockade on the besieged enclave.
Arrest and Detention at Ketziot Prison
Thunberg, along with 436 other activists, lawyers, and parliamentarians, set sail from Barcelona to deliver humanitarian aid.
The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces, and Thunberg was detained at Ketziot prison in the Negev desert—a facility usually reserved for Palestinian security prisoners—before being deported to Greece on October 6.
Speaking to Swedish outlet Aftonbladet, Thunberg described being beaten by guards, mocked, and confined in bug-infested cells with minimal access to water.
“They lacked empathy and compassion,” she said, recalling that guards and military officers even took selfies with her while she was restrained.
Humiliation and Abuse
Thunberg revealed that her suitcase had been defaced with crude graffiti, including a penis and the word “whore,” and her iconic frog hat was thrown to the ground, stomped on, and kicked.
She also described being forced to change out of her “Free Palestine” t-shirt, while fellow detainees suffered illness from contaminated water.
In one alarming incident, she claimed that 60 detainees were confined in a small cage under the sun, causing some to faint. Guards allegedly threatened them with gas, holding up a cylinder as intimidation.
She even came face to face with far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called her a “terrorist who wants to kill Jewish babies.”
Return to Sweden and Hero’s Welcome
After her deportation, Thunberg arrived in Athens to a cheering crowd of supporters chanting “Free Palestine” and “Long live the flotilla.”
Despite the ordeal, she remained focused on the plight of Gaza’s residents rather than her own suffering.
“Personally, I don’t want to share what I was subjected to… because that’s not the story here,” she said, emphasizing that the daily experiences of Palestinians far outweigh her own ordeal.
Wider Allegations of Abuse
Other flotilla members reported similar mistreatment, including sleep deprivation, beatings, threats with automatic rifles, insults, and being forced to watch footage of Hamas attacks from October 7, 2023.
Several activists felt that Thunberg herself was targeted for harsher treatment.
Former Palestinian detainees have also highlighted serious abuse at Ketziot, including medical neglect and deprivation of food and water.
Israel’s Response
Israel’s foreign ministry has dismissed claims of mistreatment as “brazen lies,” insisting that all detainees’ legal rights were upheld.
Photos of Thunberg at the airport were released to support the statement, and the only violence cited involved an activist biting a medic.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praised prison staff and warned activists to reconsider approaching Israel in the future.