Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, detained in Israel after their Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted, have been deported. The move follows significant international backlash prompted by a video showing far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir taunting kneeling activists with tied hands.
On Thursday, the UK summoned Israel's top diplomat, charge d'affaires Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, to protest the incident. The UK Foreign Office condemned Ben Gvir's conduct and demanded an explanation for the detention conditions. They emphasized Israel's obligations to protect the rights of all involved.
Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed outrage over the treatment of Polish citizens and demanded an apology from Israel.
A ministry spokesman later confirmed two Polish citizens were returning and requested a ban on Ben Gvir from Poland. 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.
International Condemnation Mounts
The US, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Canada, and Ireland have also condemned the incident. Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered rare criticism, stating Ben Gvir's actions were "not in line with Israel's values." The Israeli embassy in London stated other senior political figures, including President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideo Sa'ar, had condemned the video, adding it did not represent government policy.
Italian politician Dario Carotenuto and journalist Alessandro Mantovani, both flotilla participants, arrived at Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport after being flown to Athens. Carotenuto told reporters they had been beaten upon arrival in Israel. Adalah, an Israel-based rights group representing the detainees, reported "severe, widespread injuries," with at least three individuals hospitalized.
Flotilla Participants Repatriated
On Thursday, the UK summoned Israel's top diplomat, charge d'affaires Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, to protest the incident.
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 on Thursday. Turkey's Deputy Minister H. Ali Özel met the arrivals, many wearing keffiyehs, at Istanbul Airport, where crowds welcomed them.
Spain's foreign minister confirmed its diplomats in Israel were informed that 44 Spanish flotilla members would depart from Israel at 15:00 local time. Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, stated 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, departed from Turkey last Thursday with 430 people from more than 40 countries. Israeli naval commandos intercepted the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, approximately 250 nautical miles from Gaza, which remains under an Israeli maritime blockade. Clare Azzougarh, whose father Malcolm Ducker was among the detained British citizens, stated they had no information about his situation beyond knowing he was taken to Ketziot prison. She described this year's arrests as "indeed an escalation of extreme violence" compared to a previous interception her father experienced in October.
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