Background on the Flotilla and Key Participants
The Israeli Navy started intercepting boats and detaining hundreds of activists from various countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain, on Wednesday. This action came as the final boat of the Global Sumud (meaning “resilience” in Arabic) flotilla, which aimed to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, was intercepted.
The flotilla departed from Barcelona in September with activists like Greta Thunberg and political figures intending to bring aid to the Palestinian territory that, according to the UN, suffers from severe food shortages. However, Israel enforces a naval blockade around Gaza, where it has been engaged in a war against Hamas since late 2023, following an attack by the Palestinian Islamist group on Israeli territory.
Notable Participants
Among the activists are Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, Brazilian Thiago Ávila, and Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela.
Interception and Detentions
More than 470 flotilla participants were detained by military police, subjected to thorough checks, and transferred to penitentiary administration, according to the police.
Deportations Begin
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that deportations had started, with activists to be expelled to European countries. Four Italian citizens had already been deported, while the rest were in the process of being deported, stated the foreign ministry.
Repatriation of Mexican and Colombian Citizens
The Mexican government reported on Friday that it had begun dialoguing with Israeli authorities regarding the situation of six Mexican nationals on the flotilla, following a request from President Claudia Sheinbaum for their immediate return.
The seven Mexican activists agreed to voluntary repatriation to Mexico, and immediate arrangements were made for their return, according to the foreign ministry.
Colombia’s government, led by President Gustavo Petro—a strong critic of Israel and its war in Gaza—reported that its consular representative in Tel Aviv visited the detention center where two Colombian activists were held. The women expressed concerns about their conditions, including lack of food and water access for the past 48 hours and limitations on personal dignity and physical well-being.
Global Protests
The interception of the flotilla sparked demonstrations in Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Paris, Rome, Tunis, and Berlin.
In Barcelona, where the group of boats set sail, around 15,000 people marched, chanting slogans like “Gaza, you are not alone,” “Boycott Israel,” and “Freedom for Palestine.”
In Italy, where the government had criticized flotilla members, labor unions organized a general strike on Friday that caused cancellations and delays in the national railway network.
Israeli Response and Context
Israel has labeled some activists, including Thunberg, as antisemitic. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the interception of the boats, stating that it prevented dozens of vessels from entering the conflict zone and countered a delegitimization campaign against Israel.
The attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official sources. Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed at least 66,288 people, mostly civilians, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas and deemed reliable by the UN.
