JERUSALEM (AP) – On Thursday, Israel announced the deportation of six activists who had been detained following the seizure of an aid boat aimed at delivering assistance to the war-torn Gaza Strip. This latest group included Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who had previously been barred from entering Israel and the Palestinian territories due to her support for boycott initiatives against the country.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry characterized the aid boat, named Madleen, as a publicity stunt. They shared a photo of Hassan that appeared to show her on an airplane. The ministry's social media post included a mocking farewell for the deported passengers, 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 six activists were part of a total of twelve passengers aboard the Madleen. This vessel had sought to challenge Israel's blockade on Gaza by delivering a symbolic amount of aid. Early Monday, Israeli forces intercepted the ship, leading to the deportation of climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and three other activists the following day.
According to Adalah, a human rights organization representing the remaining activists, the last two detainees are expected to be deported on Friday. Reports from Adalah indicated that these activists faced "mistreatment, punitive measures, and aggressive treatment," with two volunteers allegedly held in solitary confinement for a period.
While Israeli authorities declined to comment on the treatment of the activists, they stated that detainees are treated lawfully, and any allegations of abuse are investigated. The Israeli government maintains that the blockade—imposed in various forms with Egypt since 2007—is essential to prevent Hamas, which controls Gaza, from importing weapons. Critics argue that the blockade serves as collective punishment for nearly two million Palestinians residing in Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry explained that activists who agreed to sign deportation documents would be expelled immediately, while those who refused to sign would be presented before a judicial authority to authorize their deportation in accordance with Israeli law. The activists contested that they had no intention of entering Israel and were brought there against their will.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, responsible for organizing the journey of the Madleen, defended the initiative as a protest against Israel's blockade of Gaza and the ongoing military operations in the region. Experts have warned that the situation in Gaza has escalated to the brink of famine, particularly as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues unabated for over 20 months.
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