Greta Thunberg Was Mistreated by Israeli Soldiers, Claims British-Palestinian Doctor

French Doctor Alleges Greta Thunberg Was Abused by Israeli Authorities During Gaza Protest.

A French doctor has alleged that climate activist Greta Thunberg was subjected to mistreatment by Israeli authorities while participating in a pro-Gaza protest in the West Bank earlier this year.

Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British-Palestinian surgeon and the current rector of the University of Glasgow, made the claims during a panel at the Geneva International Summit for Human Rights and Democracy. He said that Thunberg was “physically abused” by Israeli forces after joining a protest in the Palestinian village of Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank.

“Greta Thunberg was beaten by Israeli soldiers,” Abu-Sittah said. “She was physically abused, and her translator was arrested.”

Thunberg, who has been outspoken in her support for Palestine since the Israel-Gaza war escalated in October 2023, joined the protest in February 2024 during a solidarity visit to the region. Photographs from the event showed her standing alongside Palestinian activists, holding a sign that read “Ceasefire Now.”

Israeli officials have not publicly commented on Abu-Sittah’s allegations, and no video footage of the alleged incident has been released. However, rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the Israeli military’s use of force in the occupied territories, particularly in Masafer Yatta, an area long threatened with eviction and demolition orders.

The allegations have drawn renewed attention to the risks faced by international activists in conflict zones and have amplified criticism of Israel’s treatment of demonstrators.

Neither Thunberg nor her team has issued a statement responding to the claims.