Hawzah News Agency- A total of 137 activists — including 36 Turkish and 23 Malaysian citizens — arrived in Istanbul following their release from Israeli detention. Speaking to reporters, they recounted torture, humiliation, and denial of basic human needs.
Turkish journalist Arsen Çelik said detainees were subjected to both physical and psychological torture, deprived of food and water, and forced to endure unsanitary conditions. “We were treated worse than animals. They starved us for nearly 40 hours and told us to drink from the toilet. This experience revealed to us what Palestinians have endured for decades,” he said. Çelik also claimed that Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was among those mistreated and forced to kiss the Israeli flag, describing it as “a Nazi-like act of humiliation.”
Other activists confirmed similar abuses. Turkish participant Ayçin Cantoğlu said, “They locked us in cages like animals. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir came to mock us, and when we shouted back at him, our situation worsened — but we have no regrets.” He added that prisoners saw writings in blood on cell walls, including names of children written by their mothers.
Ekbal Gürpınar said she was detained alongside an Italian parliamentarian and that soldiers constantly harassed them. “Female soldiers were more brutal than the men. They took our medicines, stole our belongings, and removed our hijabs. Their cruelty reflects the same theft they committed against Palestine.”
Kuwaiti activist Mohammed Jamal noted that around 700 Israeli special forces participated in the raid and that detainees were left under the scorching sun for 12 hours. “Their behavior was intended to humiliate us and to break our spirit — but it failed,” he said.
Italian captain Tommaso Bortolazzi, who commanded the ship Maria Cristina, said he joined the flotilla out of conscience and converted to Islam while in detention. “When they prevented my Muslim friends from praying, I stood beside them and recited the Shahadah. I felt reborn. The free nations of the world must unite to end this genocide,” he declared.
Despite the brutal treatment, the Sumud Flotilla activists emphasized their mission’s success. “We broke the siege morally,” said one participant. “The world has seen Israel’s true face — the face of occupation, oppression, and fear. We will continue to stand for Gaza until it is free.”
Your Comment