Israeli MFA: Activist Linked to Thunberg Bit Medic in Prison

According to the ministry, a participant in the Gaza flotilla, currently in detention, assaulted prison medical personnel during an examination.

An activist from the Gaza flotilla stands accused by Israel of biting a prison staff member, an act the state described as “the sole violent incident” among those held. This accusation was issued in rebuttal to claims of ill-treatment during the activists’ custody.

Members of the Global Sumud flotilla, among them climate activist Greta Thunberg, sought to penetrate the maritime blockade of Gaza, a region where the United Nations reports famine has intensified following two years of intense conflict.

The Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla on Friday. Reports from fellow activists indicated that the detainees endured “torture” and “harsh treatment” within an Israeli prison, claims subsequently denied by Israeli officials.

In a Monday Facebook post, the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated, “All legal rights of the participants in this PR stunt were and will continue to be fully upheld. The falsehoods they are disseminating form part of their pre-arranged fake news campaign.”

It further asserted, “The sole violent incident originated with a Hamas–Sumud provocateur who bit a female medical staff member at Ketsiyot Prison.”

As of yet, the Gaza flotilla activists have not addressed the allegations regarding the biting incident.

Thunberg was part of a contingent of over 170 activists deported to Greece and Slovakia on Monday. This group comprised nationals from 19 nations, notably the US, UK, Germany, and France.