Six pro-Palestinian activists detained by Israeli authorities earlier this week have been deported, according to Israel’s foreign ministry. The group had attempted to breach the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza aboard the Madleen, a small vessel organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).
Among those deported was Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament, who had been vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A post from Israel’s foreign ministry referred to the vessel as a “selfie yacht” and mockingly urged the deported activists to “take a selfie before you leave.”
Detentions and Deportations
The activists were intercepted in international waters, roughly 185km west of Gaza, on Monday. Israel claims their attempt to reach Gaza was unauthorized and dangerous. Legal aid group Adalah, which supported the detainees, says the interception and prolonged detention were unlawful.
According to Adalah, the six deported activists are:
- Rima Hassan (France)
- Mark van Rennes (Netherlands)
- Suayb Ordu (Turkey)
- Yasemin Acar (Germany)
- Thiago Avila (Brazil)
- Reva Viard (France)
Two more activists—Pascal Maurieras and journalist Yanis Mhamdi, both French—remain in Givon prison and are expected to be deported soon.
Adalah claims the detainees were subjected to punitive treatment and solitary confinement, which they say violates international legal standards. The group continues to call for the immediate release of all volunteers.
A Symbolic Mission
The Madleen carried symbolic humanitarian aid including baby formula and medicine. Israel dismissed the effort as insignificant, stating the aid would be delivered through approved channels.
Prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was aboard the vessel and deported earlier, accused Israeli forces of “kidnapping” her in international waters.
Broader Mobilization Blocked
Meanwhile, a separate group of activists in Egypt attempting to join a pro-Palestinian march to Gaza was stopped at Cairo Airport, according to the Global March to Gaza. The group reported that 170 individuals were facing deportations or delays, despite having complied with travel regulations.
In North Africa, a convoy of 1,500 protesters has traveled through Tunisia and Libya en route to Egypt with the aim of joining the Gaza border demonstration.
Humanitarian Crisis Continues
The latest developments come amid Israel’s intensified military operations in Gaza, which resumed in March after a short ceasefire. The blockade continues to restrict food, medicine, and supplies to the region. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 55,000 people have been killed since the start of Israel’s campaign in response to the October 2023 Hamas attacks.
Despite partial easing, many aid groups—including the UN—refuse to work with Israel’s new distribution system, citing violations of humanitarian neutrality.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub5t08-BHkI
