British-Palestinian Doctor Accuses Israeli Soldiers of Mistingreating Greta Thunberg

French Doctor Alleges Greta Thunberg Was Mistreated by Israeli Forces During West Bank Protest.

A prominent French-based doctor has alleged that Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was physically mistreated by Israeli forces during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in the West Bank earlier this year.

Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British-Palestinian surgeon and current rector of the University of Glasgow, made the claim during a panel discussion at the Geneva International Summit for Human Rights and Democracy. According to him, Thunberg was “physically abused” by Israeli soldiers while attending a protest in the Palestinian village of Masafer Yatta in February 2024.

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

Thunberg has been vocal in her support for Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, particularly following the escalation in October 2023. Her appearance at the West Bank protest was part of a broader solidarity visit to the region. Images from the protest showed Thunberg holding a “Ceasefire Now” sign and standing alongside local activists.

The Israeli government has not officially responded to the allegations, and no independent video evidence of the reported incident has surfaced so far. However, human rights organizations have long criticized the Israeli military for its handling of protests in the occupied West Bank, especially in areas like Masafer Yatta, where residents face ongoing threats of displacement.

While Thunberg has not commented publicly on the allegations, the claims have reignited debate around the safety of international activists in conflict zones and added to international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in the occupied territories.