International activists deported from Israel after joining a flotilla aiming to breach the naval blockade of Gaza have come forward with renewed claims of mistreatment during their detention, intensifying international scrutiny of Israel’s handling of the incident.
The allegations emerged following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla between Wednesday and Friday, during which approximately 450 activists were detained by Israeli forces. The flotilla sought to symbolically deliver aid to Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Speaking upon arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport on Sunday, Italian activist Cesare Tofani told the ANSA news agency: “We were treated terribly … From the army, we moved on to the police. There was harassment.”
Yassine Lafram, head of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy, echoed similar concerns after arriving at Milan’s Malpensa Airport. “They even treated us violently, pointing weapons at us,” he told Corriere della Sera. “This is absolutely unacceptable in a country that sees itself as democratic.”
Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi described the treatment of the detainees as degrading. He told the Associated Press that Israeli forces denied medication and mocked the activists, who included Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, South African parliamentarian Mandla Mandela, and various European lawmakers. “We were treated like monkeys,” he said, describing the abuse as part of an effort to “demean, ridicule and laugh in situations where there is nothing to laugh about.”
Lorenzo D’Agostino, another Italian journalist, accused Israeli authorities of stealing his possessions and intimidating detainees with dogs and laser sights. He relayed the experience to AP after arriving at Istanbul Airport following his deportation on Saturday.
Paolo De Montis, another activist, described being subjected to “constant stress and humiliation,” saying he was confined to a prison van for hours with his hands restrained by zip ties. “You weren’t allowed to look them in the face,” he recalled. “If I did, a man came and shook me, slapped me on the back of the head. They forced us to stay on our knees for four hours.”
Malaysian celebrity sisters Heliza and Hazwani Helmi also described harrowing conditions during their detention. “Can you imagine we drank from the toilet water?” Hazwani told Anadolu Agency. “Some people were very, very sick, but they [the Israelis] said: ‘Are they dead? If not, then that’s not my problem.’ They are very, very cruel people.” Heliza added that she went without food for three days.
Earlier statements from deported participants also alleged abuse specifically targeting Greta Thunberg, claiming she was “dragged on the ground,” “forced to kiss the Israeli flag,” and “used as propaganda.”
Reactions from Israeli officials have varied sharply. The Foreign Ministry dismissed the claims as “brazen lies,” maintaining that all detainees’ legal rights had been “fully upheld.” In a post on X, the ministry added: “Greta also did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations – because they never occurred.”
However, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir struck a defiant tone, expressing pride in the activists’ treatment at Ketziot prison. “Anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist and deserves the conditions of terrorists,” he said. “If any of them thought they would come here and receive a red carpet and trumpets – they were mistaken.”
Ben-Gvir, who was seen in video footage taunting the activists as they were brought ashore, stated: “They should get a good feel for the conditions in Ketziot prison and think twice before they approach Israel again.”
The activists' arrests and treatment have drawn condemnation from several countries, including Pakistan, Turkiye, and Colombia. Public protests have erupted globally, and Greece has issued a formal diplomatic protest.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that 29 flotilla participants were deported on Sunday, although many remain in custody. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told public broadcaster RTVE that 21 of the 49 detained Spanish citizens were expected to return that day. Meanwhile, Greece’s Foreign Ministry announced the repatriation of 27 Greek citizens from Israel on Monday.
Source: Al Jazeera
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