Deportation of Gaza Flotilla Activists
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists detained in Israel after their flotilla carrying symbolic aid to Gaza was intercepted are scheduled for deportation from the country.
This development follows international condemnation triggered by a video posted by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, which showed him taunting activists who were kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.
International Diplomatic Reactions
On Thursday, the United Kingdom confirmed it had summoned Israel's top diplomat in Britain, charge d'affaires Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, to address the incident.
In an official statement, the UK Foreign Office expressed its "strong condemnation of [Ben Gvir's] conduct in taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla."
"We are also deeply concerned by the detention conditions depicted and have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities. We made clear their obligations to protect the rights of all those involved," the statement said.
Condemnation has also come from the United States, France, Italy, Canada, and Ireland.
Return of Activists and Reports of Abuse
On Thursday, Italian politician Dario Carotenuto and journalist Alessandro Mantovani, both participants in the flotilla, were photographed arriving at Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport after being flown first to Athens.
Speaking to reporters, Carotenuto stated that they had been beaten upon arrival in Israel.
Adalah, an Israel-based rights organization representing the detainees, reported "severe, widespread injuries," noting that at least three individuals required hospital treatment.
Israeli authorities have not issued comments regarding these allegations.
Efforts to Repatriate Detainees
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that special flights are being arranged to transport Turkish citizens and third-country participants back to Turkey.
Spain's foreign minister indicated that Spanish diplomats in Israel were informed that approximately 44 Spanish flotilla members would depart Israel at 15:00 local time (12:00 BST).
Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, stated that 15 Irish citizens detained are expected to be flown to Turkey.
Details of the Global Sumud Flotilla
More than 50 boats participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) departed from Turkey last Thursday, carrying a symbolic amount of aid. The flotilla included 430 individuals from over 40 countries.
Israel dismissed the flotilla as a "PR stunt at the service of Hamas."
On Monday morning, armed Israeli naval commandos intercepted the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, approximately 250 nautical miles (460 km) from the Gaza coast, which remains under an Israeli maritime blockade.
Concerns from Families of Detainees
Clare Azzougarh, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, said her father, Malcolm Ducker, a British citizen in his early 70s, was among those detained. She reported having no information about his current status.
"We know they've been taken to Ketziot prison but otherwise we're completely in the dark."
Azzougarh added that her father, a retired RAF pilot, had participated in a flotilla intercepted in October, but described this year's arrests as "indeed an escalation of extreme violence."
"The British government's response 'needs to be more than words' as they 'ring rather hollow.'"
"We need actions, we need to know what representations they've made to the Israeli foreign ministry. We need to know what actions they're doing to get our loved ones out."
