New Gaza Flotilla Activists Fight Deportation
Pro-Palestinian activists from two Gaza-bound ships intercepted by Israel’s Navy remain in Israeli custody as they fight their deportation.
The ships, one Canadian the other Irish, had a total of 27 passengers and reportedly carried a symbolic amount of medical supplies and letters of solidarity for Gazans. They were intercepted and taken to Israel’s Ashdod port on Nov. 4.
The Israeli military said that the boarding was conducted without any injuries, though a Canadian activist told Canadian media that he was Tasered and bruised as he was removed from the boat. An Arab-Israeli student from Haifa, Majid Kial, said the commandos pointed a gun at his head. Israel’s military denies the accusations.
Kial, two Greek crewmen, and journalists from Egypt, Spain and the United States were returned to their homes on Saturday. The 21 activists still in Israeli custody are from Australia, Britain, Canada, Ireland and the United States, according to the AFP news service. They will have a hearing in front of a judge within 72 hours, according to reports.
Some of the Navy commandos that took part in the operation also were part of the 2010 raid on the Turkish ship the Mavi Marmara, in which nine Turkish nationals were killed, according to Ynet.
Israeli authorities claimed the attempt to break the Gaza blockade is no more than an effort to embarrass Israel and undermine its security
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
