The German Foreign Office has confirmed that 14 German nationals who participated in the Gaza aid flotilla have been deported to Greece. According to a ministry spokeswoman, the individuals were received by staff from the German embassy upon arrival. This development follows the Israeli Navy’s interception of 42 boats carrying aid supplies for the Gaza Strip in the Mediterranean last week.
The incident, which involved over 400 crew members from dozens of countries, gained significant international attention. Notable participants included Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. Many of those detained have since been deported, with 160 landing in Athens on Monday, as reported by the Greek Foreign Ministry.
Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla have accused Israeli authorities of subjecting participants to physical and verbal abuse while in custody. Lubna Tuma, a lawyer representing the flotilla, alleged that detainees were held with their hands tied behind their backs under the sun, forced to kneel, and insulted. Women, in particular, were reportedly targets of verbal humiliation, with one incident allegedly involving a woman being kicked in the head. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has denied these allegations, stating that the rights of the pro-Palestinian activists were “fully respected.”
The Gaza aid flotilla was part of an effort to deliver humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip, which has faced significant challenges due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The incident has sparked widespread concern and condemnation from various international organizations and governments. As the situation continues to unfold, attention will be focused on the treatment of the detained activists and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
