More than 50 boats carrying about 430 pro-Palestinian activists from over 40 countries set sail from Turkey on May 14 in the Global Sumud Flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza [1, 2, 3, 4]. Israeli naval commandos intercepted the flotilla in international waters west of Cyprus on May 18-19, detaining all activists on board [1, 2, 3, 5, 4]. The detainees were transferred to Israeli vessels and later taken to detention facilities at Ashdod port in Israel [1, 2, 5, 4].
Israeli authorities began deporting the detained activists to their home countries or others, arranging flights especially to Turkey and other nations [2, 6]. Among the deportees were at least 44 Spanish and 15 Irish activists [2]. Some detainees suffered injuries; at least three were hospitalized, according to Israeli rights group Adalah, which represents them and is legally challenging the detentions [2, 5]. Israeli officials denied claims of physical abuse [2].
On May 20, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing activists restrained with hands tied behind their backs, forced to kneel while he taunted them waving an Israeli flag [1, 5, 4, 7, 8, 6, 9]. The video drew sharp international condemnation. The UK summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires, and countries including the US, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, and the EU demanded explanations [2, 4, 7, 8, 6, 9, 10, 11].
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called Ben-Gvir’s behavior “despicable” and said he “betrayed the dignity of his nation” [4]. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it was “inadmissible” that demonstrators suffered treatments violating human dignity [4]. European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stressed the need for detainees to be treated with “safety, dignity and according to international law” [7]. The European Council President Antonio Costa called for the activists’ “immediate release” [8].
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly criticized Ben-Gvir’s conduct as “not in line with Israel’s values and norms” [1, 5, 4, 8, 11]. Saar told Ben-Gvir: "You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time. No, you are not the face of Israel" [5]. France banned Ben-Gvir from entering French territory on May 23 and called for EU sanctions against him [10, 12, 11], with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stating, "As from today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory" [10].
Israel maintains its blockade of Gaza is lawful and denies using live ammunition or excessive force during the flotilla interception [1, 2, 3]. However, flotilla organizers and rights groups accused Israel of opening fire, ramming boats, and using water cannons during the operation [1, 2, 5, 4].
By May 21, Israel began deporting detained activists, with countries coordinating repatriation flights [2, 6]. Turkey is arranging special flights for Turkish and third-country nationals [2, 6]. The next significant scheduled event is the continued deportation of detainees as more flights are organized.
