Israel deports 171 Gaza flotilla activists including Thunberg to Greece, Slovakia

Israel has deported 171 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla to Greece and Slovakia, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, as Spain announced on Monday it will file a complaint with the International Criminal Court over the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

More than 400 activists, parliamentarians and lawyers were detained after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters earlier this week. Some detainees have been deported whilst proceedings continue for others.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated the country will pursue ICC action regarding the flotilla events. “Any attack on persons in international waters constitutes a deprivation of liberty under domestic and international law,” Marlaska said, according to Al Jazeera Arabic.

Spain to challenge flotilla interception at International Criminal Court

The flotilla interception has sparked diplomatic backlash and protests across the world. The convoy, which departed from Turkey in late August, carried approximately 40 vessels transporting aid to Gaza.

Israel has defended the interception as necessary to prevent weapons and unauthorised materials from reaching Gaza, maintaining the naval blockade for security reasons. Israeli authorities historically intercept vessels attempting to break the blockade, citing requirements to inspect cargo.

Spanish activists aboard the flotilla alleged on Monday that they suffered mistreatment and violation of their rights by Israeli authorities. The allegations join similar claims from activists of multiple nationalities who have been deported or await deportation proceedings.

Activists allege mistreatment including forced flag holding and physical abuse

Turkish journalist and flotilla participant Ersin Celik told local media he witnessed Israeli forces mistreat Thunberg, describing how she was dragged on the ground and forced to kiss the Israeli flag. Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Windfield Beaver provided similar accounts, alleging Thunberg was shoved and displayed with an Israeli flag, with Helmi stating detainees were denied food, clean water and medication.

Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi stated upon arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport that Thunberg was singled out by Israeli forces, with her arms tied and an Israeli flag placed next to her. Another Italian journalist, Lorenzo D’Agostino, reported that detainees were repeatedly woken during two nights in custody, intimidated with dogs, and had soldiers point laser sights at prisoners.

Activist Paolo De Montis described being confined in a prison van for hours with hands secured by zip ties, forced to keep his head down, and required to kneel for four hours.

According to correspondence between Swedish officials and Thunberg’s family obtained by The Guardian, the climate activist reported dehydration, insufficient food and water, rashes possibly caused by bedbugs, and prolonged periods sitting on hard surfaces during harsh and exhausting treatment.

Israeli human rights organisation Adalah, providing legal aid to detainees, stated that activists reported being forced to kneel with zip-tied hands for hours, denied medication, and blocked from speaking with lawyers.

Israel denies allegations as ‘brazen lies’, court records show no formal complaints

Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the claims as “complete lies”, insisting all detainees received access to water, food, restrooms and legal counsel, with all legal rights fully upheld. The ministry stated that Thunberg did not complain to Israeli authorities about any allegations “because they never occurred”.

Court documents from a 5 October hearing before Israel’s Population and Migration Tribunal show Thunberg requested deportation to Sweden but made no formal complaint of mistreatment whilst in custody.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated he was “proud” of staff behaviour at Ketziot prison in the Negev desert, saying flotilla activists were treated as supporters of terrorism who deserve terrorist conditions. “If any of them thought they would come here and receive a red carpet and trumpets, they were mistaken,” Ben-Gvir stated.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said allegations regarding abusive treatment of Thunberg are “very serious” if confirmed. The Swedish Foreign Ministry indicated it acted intensively to ensure detained Swedish nationals’ rights were observed.

The arrests prompted criticism from several governments including Turkey, Colombia and Pakistan. Greece, which had 27 nationals in Israeli custody, issued a written protest to Israel over what it termed unacceptable and inappropriate ministerial behaviour.

Meanwhile, Israel has killed more than 100 Palestinians since Hamas agreed on Friday to release all captives as part of the latest United States ceasefire plan, with truce negotiations scheduled to begin on Monday in Egypt. Heavy bombing struck the Gaza Strip over the weekend, with attacks reported on residential neighbourhoods, refugee camps and aid distribution points.

The Palestinian health ministry announced that the death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 67,160 since October 2023, the majority of whom are women and children. At least 169,679 others have been wounded. At least 21 people were killed and 96 wounded by Israeli forces over the past 24 hours, according to health authorities.