‘We Will Return’: Israel Deports Gaza Flotilla Activists Amid Global Condemnation
The first group of activists seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla arrived in Turkey on Thursday, after Israel deported all foreign detainees following days of global condemnation over their treatment in Israeli custody.
Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla at sea on Monday, then authorities detained hundreds of activists from dozens of countries who had attempted to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein confirmed Thursday that “Israel has deported all foreign activists from the PR flotilla,” adding, “Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”
Arrivals Met with Flags and Cheers in Istanbul
At Istanbul’s VIP terminal, supporters carrying Palestinian flags welcomed the returning activists. Turkish national Bulal Kitay spoke bluntly upon landing: “Israeli forces attacked us. Each of us was beaten, women and men… It’s what Palestinians experience all the time.” Another activist emerged from the terminal shouting, “The Palestinian people are not alone!” He continued, “We’ve been tortured, we’ve been beaten, we’ve been arrested in international waters, but we won’t give up. We will return. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea.”
Legal centre Adalah, which represented the flotilla members, confirmed that authorities held most detainees at Ktziot Prison in the Negev Desert. Furthermore, Adalah noted that activists from Egypt transferred to Taba at the Egyptian border, while Jordanian nationals moved to Aqaba. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition also confirmed authorities returned two South Korean nationals to their home country and released one Israeli citizen inside Israel.
Ben Gvir Video Triggers International Backlash
The diplomatic storm intensified after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a video on Wednesday showing detainees with hands bound and foreheads to the ground, captioned “Welcome to Israel.” The footage drew condemnation from Italy, Spain, Australia, Canada, and the UK, which subsequently summoned Israel’s senior diplomat in London. Italy and Spain called on the EU to sanction Ben Gvir.
Additionally, a leaked letter showed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin urging EU leadership toward “further action,” including suspension of parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticised Ben Gvir domestically.
Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, deported ahead of others, told reporters, “They beat us up. They kicked us and punched us and shouted ‘Welcome to Israel.'”
Israel has maintained its blockade of Gaza since 2007, tightening restrictions significantly since the war began on 7 October, 2023, as the territory faced severe shortages of essential supplies.
