ROME — A group of international activists who were seized by Israeli forces while trying to sail to Gaza from a flotilla called the Global Sumud are now back in their home countries. They say they were mistreated by Israeli guards, a claim Israel refuses to accept.
The Global Sumud flotilla, made up of 42 boats, set out to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic donation of aid to the region, which many describe as facing a humanitarian crisis. Between Wednesday and Friday, Israeli naval ships intercepted the fleet in off‑Gaza waters. About 450 activists were arrested; many were taken to Israel and remain in prison.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it offered the activists voluntary deportation, but most chose to stay and go through a formal deportation process. The ministry has called the reports of abuse “brazen lies” and says all detainees’ legal rights have been upheld.
One of the activists who returned was Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi. He told reporters at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport that Israeli soldiers had withheld medicine, treated the detainees like “monkeys,” and used psychological intimidation. He says the French‑speaking activist Greta Thunberg was singled out after her arrest, describing how she was seen with her arms tied and an Israeli flag next to her. Tommasi called the act a mockery and a form of verbal and psychological violence.
Other names that drew international attention include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, and several European lawmakers. Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino reported that detainees were repeatedly woken at night, faced intimidation from soldiers with dogs and laser sights on guns, and lost belongings and money. Activist Paolo De Montis described being crammed into a prison van for hours with his hands zip‑tied, told people he was forced to kneel for four hours and was slapped on the back of the head when he tried to look up.
In a separate statement, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir said he was “proud” of the treatment of the flotilla activists at the Ketziot prison in the Negev. He described the inmates as supporters of terrorism and said they deserve the same conditions as terrorists. The comment sparked outrage from several countries, including Turkey, Colombia, Pakistan, and Greece, which sent a written protest over “unacceptable and inappropriate behavior” of an Israeli minister.
The flotilla’s interception came amid attempts by former U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, which both Israel and Hamas said they were willing to consider. Negotiators were expected to meet in Cairo on Monday.
The global reaction has included protests in cities worldwide. Greece, which had 27 of its nationals in Israeli custody, noted that its government had taken “intensive action” to protect the rights of its citizens. The Swedish Foreign Ministry also said it had acted “intensively” to ensure that detained Swedes were treated fairly.
These events underscore the continued tension surrounding Israel’s blockade of Gaza, the role of international activists attempting to deliver aid, and the complex political environment that includes ceasefire negotiations, political statements from high‑profile leaders, and widespread public protests.
Source: New York Post
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