Hundreds of Gaza Flotilla Activists Face Deportation After Israeli Detention, UK Summons Diplomat
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, intercepted and detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver symbolic aid to Gaza, are set for deportation. This development follows a widely condemned video featuring Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, appearing to taunt activists who were kneeling with their hands tied.
On Thursday, the UK’s Foreign Office confirmed it had summoned Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, Israel’s top diplomat in London. This action, a statement articulated, reflected the UK's "strong condemnation of [Ben Gvir's] conduct in taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla." The UK also expressed "deep concern" regarding the depicted detention conditions and demanded an explanation from Israeli authorities, reminding them of their "obligations to protect the rights of all those involved."
Similar condemnation has emanated from the US, France, Italy, Canada, and Ireland. Italian politician Dario Carotenuto and journalist Alessandro Mantovani, both flotilla participants, were pictured arriving in Rome, having alleged they were beaten upon arrival in Israel. Adalah, an Israeli human rights organisation representing the detainees, earlier reported "severe, widespread injuries," with at least three individuals requiring hospital treatment. Israeli authorities have offered no comment on these allegations.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that special flights were being arranged to repatriate Turkish citizens and other participants to Turkey. Spain's foreign minister indicated that 44 Spanish flotilla members were expected to depart Israel by 15:00 local time. Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, confirmed 15 Irish citizens detained were also anticipated to be flown to Turkey.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), comprising over 50 boats carrying 430 individuals from more than 40 countries, set sail from Turkey with a token amount of aid. Israeli authorities dismissed the initiative as a "PR stunt at the service of Hamas." On Monday morning, armed Israeli naval commandos began intercepting the fleet in international waters, approximately 250 nautical miles west of Cyprus, within the vicinity of the Israeli maritime blockade on Gaza.
