Israel lashes out at flotilla activists after 'bedbugs', 'mistreatment' claims
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hits back at Greta Thunberg, noting that allegations of insufficient food, water, and bedbug-related rashes are "crude lies." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says he is "proud" of terrorist-level detention.
Israel Hayom
Oct 5, 2025
In the wake of complaints made by the anti-Israeli activist Greta Thunberg, which alleged she was subjected to harsh treatment by Israeli authorities, and concerning claims that she was provided insufficient quantities of water and food and developed a rash that she attributed to bedbug bites – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now issuing a response.
"The claims regarding the mistreatment of Greta Thunberg and other detainees from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla are brazen lies. All the detainees' legal rights are fully upheld. Interestingly enough, Greta herself and other detainees refused to expedite their deportation and insisted on prolonging their stay in custody. Greta also did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations – because they never occurred."
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, who filmed himself calling the flotilla participants terrorists after they were transferred to Israel, also addressed the matter.
"I came to visit Ketziot Prison, and I was proud that we are treating the 'flotilla activists' as supporters of terror," he said. "Anyone who is a supporter of terror is a terrorist, and they are entitled to the conditions of terrorists. If any of them believed they would arrive here and receive a red carpet and fanfare – they were mistaken. It would be advisable for them to deeply feel the conditions in Ketziot Prison, and to think twice before approaching Israel again. That is the operating procedure." Israel Hayom has previously reported on a proposal by Ben-Gvir to detain her as a terrorist, although it is unclear if plan was ever adopted.
The Israeli Navy intercepted the 42 boats in the flotilla carrying hundreds of activists last week, including Thunberg, who tried to breach Israel's maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip during Yom Kippur. The vessels were diverted to Ashdod Port, where passengers were handed over to Israeli Police.
The operation, dubbed Shield of the Horizon. According to the military, within 12 hours naval forces gained operational control over the flotilla, preventing what was described as a coordinated attempt to violate Israel's legal blockade on Gaza.
Activists imprisoned after a Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted on Yom Kippur have accused Israeli authorities of serious mistreatment, with their lawyer Sena Eliküčük preparing to submit a complaint to UN human rights bodies, the Swedish outlet Aftonbladet reports. Eliküčük told the the local press, "I intend to report these violations of human rights to the relevant UN authorities."
Sweden's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which urged Israel to provide adequate care, informed Thunberg's family she had a suspected bed bug bite during detention – a message Eliküčük also received. "They are definitely treated badly," she told TT, and may file a joint ICC complaint.
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