Israel has deported six activists who were detained after their boat, the Madleen, was intercepted on its way to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. The activists, including Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament, were transferred to Ben Gurion Airport after more than 72 hours in Israeli custody.
The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the deportation, stating, “Six more passengers from the ‘selfie yacht,’ including Rima Hassan, are on their way out of Israel. Bye-bye-and don’t forget to take a selfie before you leave.” The ministry’s post also included pictures of the activists boarding and sitting on a plane.
Adalah, the Israeli human rights group representing the activists, reported that the volunteers were subjected to mistreatment, punitive measures, and aggressive treatment while in custody. Two volunteers were also held in solitary confinement for some time. Adalah called for the immediate release of all eight volunteers, stating, “Their continued detention and forced deportation are unlawful and a part of Israel’s ongoing violations of international law”.
The Madleen, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, aimed to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza and highlight the humanitarian crisis there. Israel dismissed the effort as a “selfie yacht” carrying less than a single truckload of aid. Four activists, including Greta Thunberg, were deported immediately after being detained.
Meanwhile, activists planning to join a pro-Palestinian march from Egypt to the southern Gaza border faced delays and deportations at Cairo airport. The Global March to Gaza said about 170 people were affected, and their legal services were working on these cases. The march aims to challenge Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid and begin from El Arish in northern Egypt on Friday.