Swedish activists accuse Israel of plundering and torture
Swedish activists, including Greta Thunberg, have returned to Sweden after being detained by Israeli forces during an attempt to break the Gaza blockade. At a press conference in Stockholm, they described how their ships were plundered of aid supplies and how they endured torture in prison. Israel denies the claims, asserting no provisions were aboard.
On October 7, 2025, nine Swedish activists, including Greta Thunberg and Lorena Delgado Varas, landed at Arlanda Airport after deportation from Israel. They had joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of over 40 ships aiming to deliver aid to Gaza and break the Israeli blockade. The vessels were boarded by Israeli military on international waters last week, leading to the arrest of over 400 people, including about ten Swedes. The activists were held in Ketziot prison in the Negev desert for around four days before release.
That Tuesday evening, they held a press conference at Sergels torg in Stockholm, where hundreds gathered. Greta Thunberg began by calling the prison a 'torture facility in the desert' and spoke of 'extreme physical abuses and torture.' She mentioned up to 60 people crammed into small cages, threats of gassing, and denial of clean drinking water—the water was brown and made people sick. Thunberg refused to share personal details to avoid overshadowing the Gaza issue. Other activists, like Lotta Eliasson, described mistreatment: 'I was dragged in the most inhumane way' and showed bruises from soldiers holding her down. Marita Rodriguez accused Israel of plundering the ships of food, water, medicines, and hygiene items from the Turkish Red Crescent: 'Israel took them of course, like they take everything else.'
Israel denies the allegations. According to its foreign ministry, the ships carried no humanitarian aid but were a provocation. Police spokesperson Dean Elsdunne posted a video claiming no aid was on a large vessel. Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the activists were treated per his directives as 'terror supporters.' The foreign ministry asserts any aid could have been transported peacefully.
The activists sharply criticized the Swedish government for failing to act against the 'genocide' in Gaza, despite international law. The Foreign Ministry (UD) called the reports serious if true and stated they demanded access to medicine, food, and water. Thunberg and Delgado Varas indicated more attempts to reach Gaza are planned.