Swedish PM takes activists' torture claims seriously
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson states that the government takes seriously the allegations of torture against Swedish activists, including Greta Thunberg, in an Israeli prison. The Foreign Ministry will investigate the claims, but it is too early to criticize Israel. The activists describe cramped conditions and threats during their detention.
On Tuesday evening, Greta Thunberg and other activists held a press conference at Sergels torg in Stockholm after their ship, carrying aid to Gaza, was boarded by Israeli military on international waters. They claim they were tortured in Ketziot prison, where 69 people were crammed into a 12 square meter cage under the blazing sun for five hours. The activists were threatened with gassing, denied water, and subjected to physical abuses, including bruises and being dragged by the military.
Activist Ipshita Rajesh described: '69 people were crammed into a twelve square meter cage under the burning sun for five hours and they threatened to gas us several times.' Greta Thunberg chose not to focus on her own experience: 'No matter what we say, nothing bites – there is nothing that leads to action from our governments.' Another activist, Lotta Eliasson, mentioned bruises on her arm, wrists, back, and calves.
Israel has denied the claims. On Wednesday, during a visit to Skåne, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) commented on the allegations: 'These are serious allegations. Swedish citizens should always be treated well.' He emphasized that the government has only heard the activists' description and that the Foreign Ministry will look into 'what images exist of what happened.' Kristersson maintains that the nine Swedish activists were wrong to travel to war-torn Gaza: 'The fundamental question is: should one go to places that are very dangerous? We do not think one should do that. If one does it anyway and things happen that should not happen, we will of course look into this.'
This is the second time in a short period that ships with aid to Gaza have been boarded on international waters. In 2010, a similar incident led to deaths and calls for a UN investigation from Swedish politicians like Carl Bildt. Kristersson responded to the comparison: 'We do not take anything lightly. Now we have just heard their description.'