Recently, Greta Thunberg returned to her home in Sweden, following a tumultuous trip to Israel where she alleges she was mistreated. A troubling word was discovered on her suitcase, which she believes was penned while she was detained.

Greta’s Ordeal in Israel

At just 22 years old, Greta Thunberg, the well-known Swedish climate activist, found herself in a challenging situation. In early October, Greta’s mission to raise awareness led her to join over 40 vessels loaded with humanitarian aid heading towards Gaza, directly challenging Israel’s longstanding naval blockade.

Unfortunately, as the ships approached, they were intercepted by the Israeli Navy. Among the detainees were Greta, Mandla Mandela—Nelson Mandela’s grandson—and several European politicians.

Speaking to a Swedish news outlet, Aftonbladet, Greta opened up about her struggles. Sleep has been hard to come by since her return. Her first night back at home provided some relief, where she finally managed a full night’s rest. However, subsequent nights have been filled with haunting dreams of boats under attack.

“My brain doesn’t work as it should,” Greta admitted, highlighting the emotional toll this has taken on her.

Tales of Detention

Greta recounted how she was held in harsh conditions, witnessing other detainees being handled harshly. She alleged that she too faced rough treatment, including being kicked by guards.

While been pushed to a corner, one guard remarked, “A special place for a special lady.” This was among the verbal abuses she mentioned, as guards were heard uttering Swedish slang, referring to her as a “whore.”

The detention scene Greta described was both frightening and surreal. She told of metal cages where detainees were forced to stand throughout the night, threatened with gas attacks, and subjected to guards’ antics meant to disturb them, including shaking the cell bars and shining flashlights.

“The lack of empathy from the guards was stark,” Greta shared, adding that some guards even took selfies with her. Amid the chaos, she struggled to remain calm, often overwhelmed by the rapid sequence of events.

In a particularly distressing reveal, Greta accused the guards of defacing her suitcase with the words “Whore Greta,” accompanied by an inappropriate drawing. She recollected how the officers, while drinking water, mocked her pleas for relief in the unbearable 40°C heat.

The Israeli Response

In response to these claims, Israel’s Foreign Ministry firmly denied Greta’s accusations. Speaking to The Telegraph, they stated that all her legal rights were respected. According to them, Greta herself did not expedite her deportation and instead chose to prolong her custody stay. Furthermore, no formal complaints were made to the Israeli authorities by Greta regarding these assertions.

They emphasized that Greta was treated per international laws and her safe deportation was ensured by October 6.

The Gaza Mission and Its Aftermath

The flotilla embarked on its journey in August 2025, carrying a cohort of over 500 activists along with vital aid supplies. Israeli officials had warned against entering the region, cautioning that it was an active warzone and suggesting a signal to retreat.

Greta, among the 12 onboard the Madleen ship, continued their journey towards Gaza, spurring a boarding action by Israeli forces leading to their capture and subsequent deportation.

This incident has sparked further discussions around Israel’s blockade and the nature of activism in such sensitive regions. While many applaud Greta’s courage, others criticize her for allegedly spreading unverified information.