Israel says it has deported all foreign activists detained after intercepting a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters, following mounting international criticism over the treatment of those held in custody.
The controversy intensified after Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media showing detained activists kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads pressed to the ground. The footage triggered widespread condemnation from European governments and human rights organisations.
More than 430 activists from multiple countries had been detained after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla on Monday during an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza Strip.
European Governments Condemn Treatment
The diplomatic fallout widened on Thursday as the United Kingdom summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires to protest the activists’ treatment.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had asked the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, to discuss possible sanctions against Ben-Gvir.
Tajani described the seizure of the flotilla and the handling of detainees as “harassment and humiliation” carried out “in violation of the most basic human rights.”
Several activists alleged physical abuse while in Israeli custody.
Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, who was deported earlier than other detainees, told reporters in Rome that activists were transported to Ben Gurion Airport “in handcuffs and with chains on our feet.”
“They beat us up. They kicked us and punched us and shouted ‘Welcome to Israel’,” he claimed.
Another detainee, Italian lawmaker Dario Carotenuto, alleged he had been punched and kicked during detention.
Rights Groups Raise Abuse Allegations
Adalah, an Israeli legal advocacy group representing some of the detainees, said activists reported degrading treatment by prison guards.
Adalah lawyer Miriam Azem alleged that one activist had been forced to strip naked and run while guards laughed. The group also claimed Israeli forces fired rubber bullets during the interception operation, injuring several participants.
The Israel Prison Service rejected the allegations, calling them false and politically motivated.
Meanwhile, Poland said it was considering banning Ben-Gvir from entering the country over his handling of the incident.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office condemned the treatment of detainees, saying the images violated “the most basic standards of respect and dignity for people.”
Netanyahu Distances Himself From Ben-Gvir
The backlash has also exposed tensions within Israel’s leadership.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s decision to intercept the flotilla but criticised Ben-Gvir’s conduct, saying the treatment of activists was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also rebuked Ben-Gvir publicly, writing on social media that the minister had harmed Israel through a “disgraceful display.”
Even Mike Huckabee, a strong supporter of Israel, criticised Ben-Gvir, saying the flotilla may have been a “stupid stunt” but the minister had “betrayed the dignity” of Israel.
Ben-Gvir, one of the most controversial figures in Netanyahu’s coalition government, has previously been convicted of incitement to racism and support for a banned extremist Jewish organisation.
Wider Regional Tensions
The flotilla set sail from Spain in April with the stated aim of drawing international attention to humanitarian conditions faced by nearly two million Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has long enforced a naval blockade on Gaza, arguing it is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas. Human rights organisations, however, have repeatedly criticised the blockade and conditions inside the enclave.
The latest confrontation has revived memories of the 2010 raid on the aid ship MV Mavi Marmara, when Israeli commandos killed nine activists during a similar interception operation. A tenth activist later died from injuries sustained in the raid.
On Thursday, the Turkey announced it would send aircraft to retrieve its citizens who had participated in the flotilla, according to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The Greece also demanded the immediate release and return of its nationals.
European Council President António Costa said he was “appalled” by the treatment of the activists and called for their immediate release before Israel confirmed the deportations were under way.
One activist, Zohar Regev, remained in legal proceedings in the Israeli city of Ashkelon on charges related to illegal entry and unlawful stay, according to Adalah.
