Thunberg spoke to Sweden’s Aftonbladet, recounting her experiences in Israeli detention. She emphasized that, despite holding a Swedish passport, she was subjected to abuse, including being tied to an Israeli flag and kicked repeatedly, and being verbally insulted. She warned that if such treatment is inflicted on an international activist, the conditions for Palestinian detainees, including children, are likely far worse.

“They tied an Israeli flag”

Thunberg stated that after being unlawfully detained in international waters and transferred to an Israeli prison, she received no water and was physically abused. “They laid me on the floor and tied an Israeli flag between my hands. Every time the flag waved, I was kicked in the back and called a ‘whore.’ They told me they would strangle me with poisonous gas,” she said.

She also noted that her luggage had been defaced with offensive graffiti. “When I handed over my suitcase, it had ‘Whore Greta’ written on it along with male genital drawings. Even five-year-olds wouldn’t do this,” she added.

Thunberg highlighted the broader issue of Palestinians detained without trial, including hundreds of children, saying, “If Israel tortures and imprisons a white Swedish passport holder like me in international waters, imagine what they do to Palestinian detainees and children.”

"Our Government Did Nothing"

Thunberg strongly criticized Sweden’s government for failing to intervene during her detention. “Israel intercepted us in international waters, yet our government did nothing. Meanwhile, Swedes delivering aid to areas under travel bans, such as Ukraine, are praised. This comparison shows that our government is fascist,” she said.

The Global Sumud Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla, organized to challenge Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, approached Gaza waters on October 1. Israeli forces intercepted 42 vessels, detaining hundreds of international activists and transferring them to Ketziot Prison in southern Israel. The flotilla represents the largest collective humanitarian effort to Gaza to date, highlighting the ongoing tensions over Israel’s blockade.