Some 137 activists who were detained by Israeli authorities for their involvement in a flotilla aiming to provide aid to Gaza have returned to Turkey after being deported. Among them were individuals from various countries, including Turkey, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan.
Upon their arrival at Istanbul Airport, two activists, Hazwani Helmi from Malaysia and Windfield Beaver from the United States, claimed that Swedish activist Greta Thunberg had been mistreated during their detention. They alleged that Thunberg was pushed and coerced into wearing an Israeli flag, with Helmi stating that the treatment they received was inhumane, lacking access to clean food and water while having their medication and personal items confiscated. Beaver further described Thunberg as being “treated terribly” and utilized for propaganda purposes.
Israel has been criticized internationally after intercepting approximately 40 boats in the flotilla and detaining over 450 activists. The Israeli foreign ministry refuted claims of mistreatment, asserting that all detainees were safe and well, and expressing the intention to swiftly complete the deportation process.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reported that 26 Italians were on the Turkish Airlines flight returning from Israel, with 15 more individuals still detained and scheduled for expulsion in the coming days. Following the return of four Italian parliamentarians from the flotilla, concerns were raised about the treatment of detainees and the blockade of aid to Gaza.
Reports from Adalah, an organization assisting flotilla members legally, indicated that some detainees were allegedly denied basic necessities and subjected to prolonged kneeling with restraints. The Israeli foreign ministry denied these allegations, emphasizing that detainees were provided with essential provisions and legal rights were upheld during their detention.
The flotilla, which embarked in late August, was an endeavor by activists to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. Israeli authorities have condemned the mission as a provocation and reiterated warnings against violating the legal naval blockade in place around the Palestinian territory.