Israel Deploys Troops to Deport Gaza Aid Flotilla Activists Worldwide

Israel Deploys Deportation Process for Abducted Activists

Following a global outcry over their treatment in custody, Israel has deported all foreign activists abducted by Israeli forces during the recent Gaza aid flotilla incident. According to Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, “All foreign activists from the PR flotilla have been deported from Israel. Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”

The deportations were carried out at Ramon Airport in southern Israel and Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Adalah, reported that most of the roughly 430 abducted activists were being transported to these airports before being deported.

On Tuesday evening, Israeli forces intercepted the last of the more than 50 boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla as they sailed towards Gaza in international waters. The incident was widely condemned by foreign ministers from 10 countries, including Spain, Brazil, and India, who described the actions as “blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.”

Several key allies have also condemned Israel’s treatment of the activists. In response to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s video taunting activists, several nations, including France, Canada, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, summoned their Israeli ambassadors to express their outrage.

European Council President Antonio Costa described Ben-Gvir’s behavior as “completely unacceptable.” Italy has demanded an apology from Israel. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani contacted European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, requesting that sanctions against Ben-Gvir be discussed at the bloc’s next meeting of foreign ministers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas from entering its territorial waters and reaching Gaza. However, he also acknowledged that the treatment of the activists was not in line with Israel’s values and norms.

Source: Al Jazeera