Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists who were detained in Israel after their flotilla bringing symbolic aid to Gaza was intercepted have been deported, Israel has confirmed, according to BBC.

International Backlash and Diplomatic Responses

The deportation comes after international backlash, particularly in response to a video posted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs. The UK confirmed it had summoned Israel’s top diplomat in Britain, charge d’affaires Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, over the incident.

The UK Foreign Office issued a statement expressing its “strong condemnation of [Ben Gvir’s] conduct in taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla.” The statement also noted concerns over detention conditions and demanded an explanation from Israeli authorities, emphasizing their obligations to protect the rights of all those involved.

Poland has also summoned Israel’s Chargé d’Affaires in Warsaw. Poland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed “outrage” at the treatment of its citizens and called for an apology from Israel for the “utterly inappropriate behavior” of a member of the Israeli government.

A foreign ministry spokesman later stated that two Polish citizens who were part of the flotilla would be returning, and that a request had been made to ban Ben Gvir from Poland. Italy’s Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani asked the EU to consider placing sanctions on Ben Gvir for the “unacceptable acts” of “seizing the activists in international waters and subjecting them to harassment and humiliation, in violation of the most basic human rights.”

Condemnation from Multiple Countries

There has also been condemnation from the US, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Canada, and Ireland. Rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Ben Gvir’s actions were “not in line with Israel’s values.” The Israeli embassy in London stated that the video had been condemned by other senior political figures, including President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideo Sa’ar, and does not represent the policy of the Israeli government.

Italian politician Dario Carotenuto and journalist Alessandro Mantovani, who were part of the flotilla, were pictured arriving at Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, after first being flown to Athens. Carotenuto told reporters they had been beaten after arriving in Israel. Adalah, an Israel-based rights group representing the detainees, said there had been “severe, widespread injuries”, with at least three people taken to hospital for treatment. Israeli authorities have not commented on the allegations.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country was conducting special flights that would bring Turkish citizens as well as third country participants to Turkey. Spain’s foreign minister said its diplomats in Israel had been informed that some 44 Spanish flotilla members would depart from Israel at 15:00 local time (12:00 BST). Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, said 15 Irish citizens who had been detained were expected to be flown to Turkey.

Details of the Flotilla and Aftermath

Among the Irish citizens deported was Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly. A spokesman for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “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.”

More than 50 boats taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) set sail from Turkey last Thursday carrying a token amount of aid. Four hundred and thirty people from more than 40 countries were on board. Israel dismissed the action as a “PR stunt at the service of Hamas.”

On Monday morning, armed Israeli naval commandos began intercepting the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles (460km) from the coast of Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade. Clare Azzougarh told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme her father Malcolm Ducker, who is in his early 70s, was one of the British citizens detained, and she had no information on what was happening. She noted they’ve been taken to Ketziot prison but otherwise they’re “completely in the dark.”

Azzougarh added her father, a retired RAF pilot, was on a flotilla intercepted in October but this year’s arrests were “indeed an escalation of extreme violence.” She emphasized that the British government’s response “needs to be more than words” as they “ring rather hollow.” She called for actions, specifically asking what representations they’ve made to the Israeli foreign ministry and what actions they’re doing to get their loved ones out.