Global Sumud Flotilla Activists Dennounce Torture and Mistreatment During Detention In Israel
Former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, arriving at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, alongside Barcelona ERC councilor Jordi Coronas. Photo:EFE/Toni Albir
October 5, 2025 Hour: 6:36 pm
International activists detained after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in early October 2025 have come forward with harrowing testimonies describing physical abuse, psychological torture, and inhumane conditions during their detention.
RELATED:
The flotilla, comprising 42 vessels carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, was stopped in international waters by Israeli naval forces, leading to the arrest of over 450 activists from more than a dozen countries in a dramatic escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Among the detained are 21 Spanish citizens who returned to Madrid and publicly decried the brutal treatment they endured. They described a relentless campaign by Israeli authorities to humiliate and dehumanize them. One activist recalled: “A fellow activist said if we were Palestinians, we would have been killed by now, which reflects the brutal reality.”
The Spanish group detailed constant sleep deprivation, denial of medical care including withholding life-saving medications, restriction of access to potable water, and exposure to racial slurs. They reported wearing the same clothes from the moment of arrest due to refusal to provide replacements and having access only to contaminated water unfit for drinking.
Rafael Borrego, one of the Spanish detainees, narrated the moment Israeli extremist Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir personally visited the detention center, reportedly Ketziot prison in the Negev desert—infamous for harsh treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
“We were handcuffed for seven hours, sitting on asphalt at night while Ben-Gvir gave us a lecture. Guards laughed at us and treated us worse than animals,” Borrego said. Despite these conditions, the activists expressed solidarity and determination to continue advocating for Palestine.
Italian journalist and activist Saverio Tommasi, also detained, described the ordeal as “torture and a blatant denial of human rights.” He revealed how guards confiscated essential inhalers and medications for chronic diseases and subjected detainees to constant movement and interrogation, with soldiers pointing laser sights at detainees’ bodies to intimidate them. Paolo de Montis, another Italian participant, compared the tactics to Nazi-style psychological abuse and warned of the dangerous precedent this sets.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, a prominent voice of the flotilla, reportedly suffered physical and psychological mistreatment, including dehydration and bedbug-infested cells.
Sources indicate she was humiliated by being forced to kiss and hold an Israeli flag while handcuffed—an act perceived as a form of psychological torture aimed at breaking morale.
Human rights organizations have condemned Israel’s treatment of the flotilla detainees. The legal team representing the Global Sumud Flotilla and the advocacy group Adalah filed reports accusing Israeli authorities of systematic violations of international law and unlawful detention practices. Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders echoed these concerns, demanding immediate investigations, respect for detainees’ human rights, and their safe release.
The activists reported being forced to kneel with hands tied behind their backs for prolonged hours, being kicked when resting, and enduring deliberate denial of food and water for up to 40 hours. Many described attempts by Israeli soldiers to provoke psychological breakdown through isolation, verbal abuse, and public humiliation.
Officials from several countries, including Spain, Italy, and Sweden, have expressed deep concern over the abuse allegations. The Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed 21 nationals recently returned from Israeli custody and condemned the maltreatment. Political figures, such as Spanish MP Juan Bordera, likened the repression experienced to historical episodes of torture under authoritarian regimes, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, in her first statements upon arriving at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, alongside Barcelona ERC councilor Jordi Coronas, after being released today by Israel, denounced this Sunday the "abuse and mistreatment" of the Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained in Israel, for whom she will take "action," and called for mobilization to stop this "neo-fascist terrorist state" in Israel.
Israel’s government has denied all allegations of mistreatment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the claims “baseless propaganda,” while Minister Ben-Gvir declared he was “proud” of the detention procedures and justified the harsh conditions as necessary because detainees were “terrorists.” This stance has further inflamed diplomatic tensions with countries involved.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s mission was peaceful, aimed at breaking the Israeli naval siege to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza after nearly two years of devastating conflict and blockade. The activists’ testimonies reveal a coordinated effort by Israeli forces to suppress dissent and intimidate those challenging the blockade through peaceful means.
The reports of torture and abuse against members of the flotilla have sparked protests and solidarity marches around the world, including massive demonstrations in Istanbul, reinforcing calls for an end to the siege of Gaza and respect for international humanitarian law.
The testimonies from Spanish and other international activists detained after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla highlight grave human rights abuses by Israeli forces. They add urgent weight to the global demand for justice and an immediate end to the repression suffered by Palestinian people and their international supporters.
