Israel To Start Deporting Gaza Flotilla Activists, As One Boat Remains En Route

Marinette is still in contact with organisers, but other 40 boats seized by Israel and passengers taken to Ashdod port

By Rayhan Uddin and Khaled Shalaby, Middle East Eye

Israel has begun the process of deporting hundreds of activists who were on board around 40 vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla, after a day of interceptions by the Israeli navy.

At least one vessel is still heading towards Gaza, but the remaing boats carrying vital aid to the Palestinian enclave were seized by Israeli forces and re-directed to Israel’s Ashdod port.

Israeli authorities began deportation proceedings for activists on board without allowing them to receive legal advice, the legal and human rights organisation Adalah said.

“These proceedings were initiated without prior notice to their lawyers and while denying participants access to legal counsel,” Adalah said.

“This constitutes a grave violation of due process and a denial of the participants’ fundamental rights. Adalah will continue to seek access and will take legal action as necessary.”

The flotilla organisers had confirmed by Thursday afternoon that at least 21 ships had been intercepted by Israeli forces.

A further 19 ships had not communicated with organisers since the early hours, and were assumed to have also been intercepted.

At one point on Thursday morning, a tracker showed that the Mikeno ship had entered Palestinian territorial waters off the coast of Gaza.