All of the arrested activists who participated in the Gaza convoy Global Sumud Flotilla were denied water in Israeli captivity, Thunberg tells Aftonbladet. She says that she was dragged on the ground and placed tightly bound to an Israeli flag. When it flapped against her, they shouted "Don't touch the flag" and kicked her in the side.
Thunberg also claims that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD) downplayed how poorly the activists were treated.
Another Swede on the flotilla, Vincent Storm, confirms to TT the picture that Greta Thunberg gives. According to Storm, they did not get enough food or water, they were held in cramped spaces under scorching sun for several hours and there were repeated violence and abuse.
Kristersson: Takes great risks
He is also critical of the UD's and the embassy's actions and says that they withheld information about violence that he had given them in communication to his partner. He also means that they did not act as forcefully as other countries, which got in chocolate, water and cigarettes to their citizens, according to Storm.
I asked them to bring water, that's all I wanted. But they just said that "the Israelis said we were not allowed to give it to you". It was absurd.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) tells TT that Sweden requested consular access and got it, and that UD's personnel have met those who were taken into custody by Israel.
That's what normally includes in the consular access. Then I still want to repeat that there were good reasons for the UD to advise against all travel. If you travel anyway, then you take very great risks and it's not always possible to get help. I know that the embassy has made efforts, exactly what they have done I don't know, but if she (Greta Thunberg) is dissatisfied, then she can write and tell about it, says Kristersson.
"Got support"
UD wrote last week in an email response to TT that embassy staff brought water and food to the prison, "but the prison staff did not allow it to be taken into the prison". The importance of access to medicine, food and water was also repeatedly emphasized to the Israeli authorities, writes UD.
