ANKARA: More than 130 pro-Palestinian activists detained by Israel for becoming a member of a Gaza help flotilla arrived in Turkey on Saturday (Oct 4), with two claiming that Swedish local weather campaigner Greta Thunberg was mistreated throughout her detention.
Israel, which intercepted the flotilla earlier this week, denied the allegations, calling experiences of mistreatment “full lies.”
The Turkish overseas ministry mentioned the deportees included 36 Turkish nationals and residents from the USA, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia and Jordan.
A complete of 137 activists landed at Istanbul Airport on Saturday, a part of a wider group of greater than 450 detained after Israel seized round 40 boats trying to ship humanitarian help to Gaza.
‘TREATED TERRIBLY,’ SAY ACTIVISTS
Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi, 28, instructed Reuters the detainees have been “handled like animals” and mentioned Thunberg had been shoved and compelled to put on an Israeli flag throughout her detention.
“It was a catastrophe,” Helmi mentioned, including that meals and water have been scarce and that private belongings and drugs have been confiscated.
American activist Windfield Beaver, 43, mentioned Thunberg was “used as propaganda,” alleging she was pushed right into a room as far-right Israeli Nationwide Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived.
Israel’s overseas ministry wrote on X that each one detainees have been “secure and in good well being,” and that officers have been working to finish the remaining deportations “as shortly as potential.” It additionally accused some flotilla members of obstructing the method, with out proof.
