The detention of 450 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, has triggered international condemnation. Governments from Turkey, Colombia, Pakistan, and Greece criticised Israel over allegations of mistreatment, while the Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed it had “acted intensively” to ensure the rights of detained Swedes were observed.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also intervened, confirming that 26 Italians had returned to Turkey and 15 more were due for deportation.
Activists and journalists described harsh conditions during detention, including deprivation of food, water, and medical supplies.
Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino reported detainees being repeatedly woken at night, intimidated with dogs and laser sights, and having their personal belongings taken. Turkish activist Ersin Çelik and other witnesses described Thunberg being dragged, beaten, and forced to hold or kiss Israeli flags, while Italian parliamentarian Benedetta Scuderi said detainees were “brutally stopped” and “taken hostage.”
Greece issued a formal protest after footage showed far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mocking detainees, calling them “terrorists” and deriding their aid mission.
The flotilla, which departed in late August, sought to deliver aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s maritime blockade. More than 40 boats were intercepted between Wednesday and Friday, with many detainees held at Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert.
