Greta Samberg has reportedly shared her experience of spending hours on a bedbug-infested mattress in an Israeli prison, while the Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed her claims as a “brave lie.” According to a report from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Samberg mentioned a rash that she believes could be linked to bedbugs.
The activist also allegedly raised concerns about dehydration during her detention. A letter sent to her parents detailed the “hard and exhausting” conditions she faced after being taken into custody by Israeli forces while participating in the global Sumud Flotilla Aid Expedition related to Gaza.
In a statement released on X, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that all detainees’ legal rights were upheld. They contended that Samberg had not presented her allegations to Israeli authorities, asserting that the claims had no foundation.
The ministry labeled the report as “brazen lies” and emphasized that detainees were provided with necessities like food, water, legal representation, and medical care. According to local media, documents from a court hearing on October 5 seem to align with the official narrative.
Furthermore, the ministry noted that a Spanish detainee from Samberg’s group had bitten a female member of the medical staff at Buttot prison. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir labeled the fleet participants as “proponents of terrorism” and noted their pride in experiencing conditions similar to those of terrorist detainees.
Samberg, 22, was among approximately 450 activists from over a dozen countries who were arrested when the Israeli Navy intercepted a fleet of 42 boats on October 1, which had departed from Türkiye, aiming to breach Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza and offer symbolic humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, some participants, like Turkish journalist Ersinçelik, recalled their experiences in Italy before heading to the Middle East, hinting at confrontational moments, including a claim of making “small Greta” kiss an Israeli flag.
Fox News Digital has reached out to both the Swedish and Israeli Ministries of Foreign Affairs for additional comments.
