Turkish Activist Ersin Celik's Allegations of Severe Mistreatment of Greta Thunberg by Israeli Forces During Flotilla Seizure

Ersin Celik,Turkish Activist who was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, a Turkish activist named Ersin Celik, who was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, made shocking allegations regarding the treatment of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg by Israeli forces. Celik, who was among those detained when the flotilla’s vessels were seized in international waters, claimed that Thunberg, a prominent 22-year-old environmentalist and mission participant, was subjected to severe torture and degrading treatment while in custody. These claims have sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the conduct of Israeli authorities during the interception of the humanitarian mission aimed at delivering aid to Gaza.

Celik, who arrived in Istanbul on Saturday after being detained, shared his account in an interview with CNN Turk. He described the treatment of Thunberg as particularly harrowing, stating, “They [Israeli forces] severely tortured Greta before our eyes. They persecuted her—Greta is just a little child. They made her crawl and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag. They did exactly what the Nazis did once.” These allegations, likening the actions of Israeli forces to those of Nazi oppressors, are likely to intensify international scrutiny of Israel’s handling of activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, part of a broader effort to break the maritime blockade of Gaza and deliver essential supplies, was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters. The seizure of the vessels, which included the ship Madleen, marked another chapter in the ongoing tensions surrounding attempts to provide aid to Gaza by sea. Thunberg, who has become a global figurehead for climate activism, was among the activists aboard the flotilla. This was not her first involvement in such missions; in June 2025, she participated in a similar attempt aboard the Madleen, which was also intercepted by Israeli forces.

A plane carrying activists from the flotilla, who had been detained by Israeli authorities, landed at Istanbul Airport on Saturday afternoon at 3:50 p.m. local time (12:50 GMT). The flight, which departed from Ramon Airport in Eilat, Israel, carried 137 individuals, including 36 Turkish citizens and 23 Malaysian nationals. The return of these activists to Turkey has brought renewed attention to the plight of those involved in the flotilla and the broader issue of humanitarian access to Gaza.

The status of Greta Thunberg remains unclear. As of Saturday, it was not confirmed whether she had been deported along with the other activists or if she remained in Israeli custody. Her participation in the flotilla reflects her growing involvement in humanitarian causes beyond her well-known climate activism. Thunberg’s presence on the mission was intended to draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where ongoing conflict and a prolonged blockade have led to severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and other essentials.

The allegations of torture and mistreatment made by Celik have not been independently verified, and Israeli authorities have yet to respond publicly to the claims. However, the accusations align with previous reports from activists who have been detained during similar flotilla missions. These missions, often organized by international solidarity groups, aim to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007. Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons and other materials from reaching Hamas, a Palestinian militant group designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union. Critics of the blockade, however, argue that it constitutes collective punishment and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is part of a long history of confrontations between Israeli forces and international activists attempting to deliver aid to Gaza by sea. Previous flotillas, such as the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, have resulted in violence and loss of life, with Israeli forces facing accusations of excessive force. The 2010 incident, in which nine Turkish activists were killed during a raid on the flotilla, severely strained Turkey-Israel relations and remains a point of contention.

Celik’s account of Thunberg’s treatment has sparked widespread condemnation among activists and supporters of the Palestinian cause. Social media platforms, including X, have seen an outpouring of reactions, with many expressing solidarity with Thunberg and calling for accountability. Posts on X have described the alleged treatment as “inhumane” and “a violation of international law,” with some users urging international organizations to investigate the claims. Others have praised Thunberg’s courage in joining the flotilla, noting that her involvement has brought significant attention to the Gaza blockade.

The incident has also reignited debates about the legality of Israel’s actions in international waters. Under international law, states have limited authority to intercept vessels in international waters unless specific conditions, such as suspicion of piracy or trafficking, are met. Critics argue that Israel’s repeated seizures of humanitarian flotillas violate these principles, while Israel maintains that its actions are justified to protect national security.

As the international community awaits further details, the allegations surrounding Thunberg’s treatment are likely to fuel calls for an independent investigation. Human rights organizations may press for clarity on the conditions faced by the detained activists and whether their treatment complied with international standards. Thunberg’s global prominence as an activist could amplify these calls, potentially leading to diplomatic repercussions for Israel.

For now, the activists who returned to Istanbul are expected to share further details about their experiences, which could shed light on the events that transpired during their detention. The Turkish government, which has been vocal in its support for Palestinian causes, may also respond to the incident, particularly given the involvement of Turkish citizens in the flotilla.

The broader context of the Gaza blockade remains a deeply divisive issue. The blockade, enforced by Israel and Egypt, has restricted the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, contributing to economic hardship and a humanitarian crisis. Efforts to break the blockade through flotillas have been met with resistance, but activists continue to organize such missions to highlight the situation in Gaza and advocate for change.

As the world watches, the allegations of mistreatment against Greta Thunberg and other activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla underscore the challenges of delivering humanitarian aid in conflict zones and the risks faced by those who challenge powerful state mechanisms. Whether these claims will lead to concrete action or further escalation remains to be seen, but they have already succeeded in drawing global attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.