The Israeli government has issued an official response following explosive allegations that climate activist **Greta Thunberg was mistreated while detained** during a protest near the Gaza border last week. Reports that the 22-year-old was allegedly kept in a *bedbug-infested cell* and denied proper medical care have triggered global outrage and prompted demands for an independent investigation. According to BBC News, Thunberg was among dozens of activists arrested after participating in what authorities called an “unauthorized demonstration” near a restricted military zone.
Thunberg’s representatives said she had been in Israel as part of a humanitarian delegation advocating for environmental and civilian aid access to Gaza. In a statement posted to her social media accounts shortly after her release, she described the experience as “humiliating, degrading, and frightening,” adding that she had been kept “in a filthy, overcrowded cell crawling with bedbugs” and was “refused clean water.” Her words quickly went viral, sparking waves of condemnation from international observers and human rights groups.
“I was kept in a filthy, bedbug-infested cell with no clean water. I will not be silent.” — Greta Thunberg after her brief detention in Israel @GretaThunberg
The Israeli police initially declined to comment on the specifics of Thunberg’s claims. However, following intense media scrutiny, an Interior Ministry spokesperson told Haaretz that “no mistreatment occurred” and that Thunberg was “treated in accordance with standard detention procedures.” The spokesperson insisted that her cell “met health and safety regulations” and that allegations of bedbugs were “categorically false.”
Still, activists who were detained alongside Thunberg have painted a very different picture. One protester, identified only as Yael, told The Guardian that the holding cells were “hot, unsanitary, and crawling with insects.” She added, “They treated us like criminals. Greta was calm, but she was clearly uncomfortable and terrified. The conditions were unbearable.” Human Rights Watch has since called for an independent inspection of the facility where Thunberg was held.
Human Rights Watch demands independent probe into Greta Thunberg’s alleged mistreatment while detained in Israel. @hrw
According to CNN’s coverage, Thunberg’s arrest occurred after police declared her environmental demonstration an “illegal gathering.” Video footage from the scene showed officers dragging her and several others away as they chanted for “climate peace, not war.” The images have since been viewed millions of times online, with supporters around the world accusing Israel of suppressing peaceful protest and targeting a high-profile activist to send a political message.
In Sweden, where Thunberg rose to fame as a teenage climate campaigner, politicians from across the spectrum have demanded answers. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his government was “in direct contact with Israeli authorities” and would seek a “transparent account” of what happened. As reported by Reuters, he added that “any mistreatment of Swedish citizens abroad is unacceptable.”
Swedish PM: “We expect full transparency from Israel regarding Greta Thunberg’s treatment.” — @Reuters
Meanwhile, the Israel Prison Service issued its own clarification through The Jerusalem Post, acknowledging “minor hygiene issues” at one facility but denying that Thunberg had been subjected to any abuse. “The activist was provided with food, water, and medical assistance upon request,” the statement read. “She was held for a limited time and released without charge.” The agency emphasized that Thunberg was treated “no differently than other detainees.”
Despite those reassurances, global outrage has not subsided. Protesters gathered outside Israeli embassies in Stockholm, London, and Berlin, waving signs reading “Justice for Greta” and “End Political Detentions.” Videos shared by Rolling Stone showed crowds chanting Thunberg’s name as they demanded accountability. Even Hollywood figures, including Mark Ruffalo and Jane Fonda, expressed support for Thunberg, describing her ordeal as “disgraceful.”
“No activist deserves this kind of treatment — Greta stood for peace.” — Jane Fonda on Thunberg’s detention @JaneFonda
Thunberg has since returned to Sweden, where she told reporters she intends to file a formal complaint with international human rights bodies. “This isn’t just about me,” she said during a press conference covered by Deutsche Welle. “It’s about the way activists and civilians are being treated when they stand up for life, peace, and the planet. No one should be locked in filth for speaking out.”
The United Nations has also weighed in, with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights calling the reports “deeply troubling.” As Al Jazeera noted, UN officials have formally requested an explanation from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, urging compliance with international detention standards. “All detainees, regardless of nationality or cause, are entitled to humane treatment,” the spokesperson said.
As public pressure mounts, Israel’s handling of the situation could have broader diplomatic repercussions. Analysts told Politico Europe that the controversy comes at a sensitive time, as Israel faces mounting scrutiny over its domestic policing of activists and its response to global criticism. “This isn’t just about Thunberg,” said one diplomat. “It’s about how Israel is perceived on the world stage — and how far it’s willing to go to silence dissent.”
For now, the world is watching as Israel attempts to defuse a scandal that has united environmentalists, diplomats, and human rights advocates under one rallying cry: accountability. Thunberg, undeterred and defiant, vowed in her final post before leaving Tel Aviv: “They can detain me, but they can’t silence the truth.”