Israel has started deporting activists detained from the Global Sumud flotilla.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that four Italians have already been sent back, with procedures underway to deport all others.
The flotilla carried about 450 activists from more than 40 countries, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, and several European lawmakers. They were detained on Thursday after Israel intercepted the boats beginning on Wednesday night.
According to Israeli authorities, 41 vessels were stopped by Thursday. The last boat, the Marinette, which had trailed behind the rest, was intercepted in the early hours of Friday as it neared Gaza. A livestream showed Israeli troops boarding the vessel. The flotilla had carried a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid in its attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Another vessel, the Summertime Jong, turned back before interception and returned to Cyprus’ Larnaca port on Thursday night with 21 people onboard.
Its captain, Osama Qashoo, said that the boat’s role was only to support the flotilla and that the activists were on the right side of history by standing with oppressed people. Malaysian activist Nadi Al-Nuri, who was also aboard, said they would keep repeating the action until they achieved their goal of stopping the genocide and liberating Palestine.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry insisted that none of the flotilla’s vessels were carrying aid. A video released by the Israeli Police showed empty interiors of a boat they claimed to be part of the flotilla. Spokesperson Dean Elsdunne said this was why the flotilla rejected Israel’s offer to hand over any supplies for delivery.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a vocal critic of the flotilla, visited the port of Ashdod where the activists were held. Onboard a seized vessel, he accused the participants of supporting “terrorism” and mocked their mission. In videos shared on social media, activists could be seen sitting on the floor as one person shouted back, “Free Palestine.”
Meanwhile, protests erupted worldwide following the arrests. Demonstrations spread across continents, with large crowds in Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, and other nations. Protesters waved Palestinian flags, chanted “Free Palestine,” blocked roads, stormed railway stations, and clashed with police.
In Italy, workers and students joined a one-day general strike after the country’s largest unions called for solidarity. The strike caused widespread disruption, with hundreds of trains cancelled, flights delayed, and schools shut.
Another flotilla of nine vessels organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza has already set sail from Italy and remains days away from Palestinian waters, according to trackers.