Prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg told Swedish officials she was being held under harsh conditions in Israel following her participation in an aid flotilla to Gaza and subsequent detention, The Guardian reported on Saturday.
Sweden’s Foreign Ministry reportedly sent an email to Thunberg’s family, noting officials had met with the 22-year-old while held in custody. The correspondence was seen by The Guardian, the report said.
“She has received insufficient amounts of both water and food,” the email reportedly read, adding she was dehydrated. “She also stated that she had developed rashes, which she suspects were caused by bedbugs. She spoke of harsh treatment and said she had been sitting for long periods on hard surfaces.”
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The activist also reportedly told the Swedish officials that she was forced to pose for pictures holding flags, and had wondered whether the images had been circulated. It is unclear which national flags she was forced to hold.
On Thursday, Israeli forces intercepted over 40 boats participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla and detained foreign activists, including Thunberg, ahead of their deportation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the efforts a “de-legitimization campaign against Israel,” while the defense minister termed the flotilla a Hamas terrorist operation.
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Students march during a protest to condemn the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli army, in Turin on Thursday. Credit: Marco Bertorello/AFP
Students march during a protest to condemn the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli army, in Turin on Thursday. Credit: Marco Bertorello/AFP
Thunberg was among the most prominent of around 500 activists on the vessels, which set sail in August. The flotilla was transporting medicine and food to war-torn Gaza during a devastating humanitarian crisis.
The interception sparked protests in Europe, Asia and South America, and triggered diplomatic backlash. Colombia ordered the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic delegation and terminated its free trade agreement with Israel, while Istanbul announced it would open an investigation into the detention.