Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, detained by Israel after their aid flotilla to Gaza was intercepted, have been deported. The move follows international condemnation, particularly after a video surfaced showing far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir taunting kneeling activists with tied hands.
The UK summoned Israel's top diplomat, charge d'affaires Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, over the incident. The Foreign Office expressed "strong condemnation of [Ben Gvir's] conduct" and demanded an explanation regarding "deeply concerned" detention conditions. They underscored Israel's obligations to protect detainees' rights.
Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister Radosław Sikorski voiced "outrage" at the treatment of Polish citizens, demanding an apology and requesting a ban on Ben Gvir from Poland.
Two Polish citizens from the flotilla were reportedly returning home. Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani asked the EU to consider sanctions against Ben Gvir, citing "unacceptable acts" of seizing activists in international waters and subjecting them to harassment and humiliation, violating human rights. Other nations, including the US, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Canada, and Ireland, also condemned the actions.
International Criticism Mounts
Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben Gvir's actions, calling them "not in line with Israel's values." The Israeli embassy in London stated that senior political figures, including President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideo Sa'ar, also condemned the video, emphasizing it does not represent Israeli government policy.
Italian politician Dario Carotenuto and journalist Alessandro Mantovani, both flotilla participants, were pictured arriving in Rome after first flying to Athens. Carotenuto told reporters they had been beaten in Israel. Adalah, an Israel-based rights group representing detainees, reported "severe, widespread injuries," with at least three individuals hospitalized.
Mass Deportations Underway
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, detained by Israel after their aid flotilla to Gaza was intercepted, have been deported.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced special flights to bring Turkish citizens and other participants to Turkey. Three planes chartered by Turkish Airlines carried 422 activists, including 85 Turkish nationals, from southern Israel. Turkey's Deputy Minister H. Ali Özel met the arrivals, who wore keffiyehs and were greeted by crowds at Istanbul Airport.
Spain's foreign minister confirmed that 44 Spanish flotilla members were scheduled to depart from Israel. Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, said 15 detained Irish citizens, including Dr. Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, were expected to fly to Turkey. An Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed, "All foreign activists from the PR flotilla have been deported from Israel."
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), comprising over 50 boats carrying symbolic aid and 430 people from more than 40 countries, set sail from Turkey last Thursday. Armed Israeli naval commandos intercepted the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, approximately 250 nautical miles (460km) from Gaza, which remains under an Israeli maritime blockade. Clare Azzougarh, whose father Malcolm Ducker was among the detained British citizens, stated they had been taken to Ketziot prison, with no further information available. Ducker, a retired RAF pilot, was also on a flotilla intercepted in October, making this year's arrests an "escalation of extreme violence."
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