Background on the Flotilla and Its Objective
An international group of activists, who were detained and deported by Israel after their flotilla to Gaza was intercepted, reported on Saturday that they were subjected to violence and treated “like animals.”
The Global Sumud flotilla, which set sail in September from Barcelona, aimed to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory suffering from severe food shortages according to the United Nations.
Israel’s Interception and Detention
Israel, which enforces a naval blockade around the Gaza enclave, intercepted the flotilla. This region has been engaged in a war against Hamas since late 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023.
Israel detained over 400 individuals and deported the first group of detainees on Friday. Among them, 137 activists from 13 countries, including Paolo Romano, an Italian politician, arrived in Istanbul on Saturday.
Accounts of Violence and Mistreatment
Paolo Romano, a regional council member from Lombardy, Italy, described being boarded by military vessels, forced to kneel, and physically assaulted if they moved during detention. He also reported verbal abuse, threats with weapons, and being denied water and medical care.
“They treated us like animals,” Romano told AFP at Istanbul airport.
Iylia Balais, a 28-year-old Malaysian activist, described the interception as “the worst experience.” She reported that participants were handcuffed, unable to walk, forced to lie face down on the ground, and denied water and medical care.
Reactions from Israel, Turkey, and Participants
Israel confirmed the deportation of activists on social media, labeling them as “provocateurs.” Upon arrival in Istanbul, families greeted the activists with Turkish and Palestinian flags while chanting “Israel is a murderer.”
The Turkish government characterized the interception as an “act of terrorism” and initiated an investigation. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan praised the activists for “giving voice to human conscience.”
The flotilla included activists from numerous countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who were the activists detained and deported by Israel? Over 400 international activists, including politicians and climate activist Greta Thunberg, were detained and deported after their flotilla to Gaza was intercepted by Israel.
- What was the objective of the flotilla? The Global Sumud flotilla aimed to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, which suffers from severe food shortages according to the United Nations.
- How did Israel treat the detained activists? Activists reported being boarded by military vessels, forced to kneel, physically assaulted, verbally abused, threatened with weapons, and denied water and medical care.
- What was the reaction from Turkey? The Turkish government condemned the interception as an “act of terrorism” and launched an investigation. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commended the activists for “giving voice to human conscience.”
- Which countries’ activists participated in the flotilla? Activists from various countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Italy, Malaysia, and Spain, took part in the initiative.
