Pro-Palestinian activists and volunteers who participated in a Gaza-bound flotilla claim they endured inhumane treatment during detention by the Israeli military. These allegations surface following their deportation after Israeli forces intercepted their vessels in international waters.
The Canadian government has confirmed receiving detailed information regarding the “appalling treatment” of its citizens. Concurrently, authorities in Germany and Spain have verified that several of their nationals sustained injuries during the incident.
Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 have brought forth grave accusations, stating there were “at least 15 cases of sexual violence,” among other severe forms of mistreatment. While the BBC has not been able to independently verify these specific claims, they highlight the serious nature of the allegations.
In response, Israeli prison authorities have vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that they are “untrue and completely lacking factual basis.” They maintain that all detainees were “held according to law, with full respect for their basic rights.” The Israeli military has also been approached for comment on the matter.
Warning: This article contains descriptions of alleged violence that some readers may find disturbing.
Individual accounts paint a grim picture, with activists detailing experiences of violence, including allegations of rape, being shot with rubber bullets, and physical assault. The Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 statement, released on Friday (22/05), further elaborated: “At least 15 cases of sexual violence, including rape. Some were shot with rubber bullets from close range. Dozens suffered broken bones.”
Upon their arrival in Paris on Friday (22/05), French activist Meriem Hadjal recounted her ordeal to reporters, stating she “experienced sexual assault and was groped.” She added, “I was hit, slapped, touched, kicked in the ribs, my hair was pulled. I was traumatized for hours.” Similarly, two Italian citizens deported on Thursday (21/05)—Alessandro Mantovani, a journalist with Il Fatto Quotidiano, and Dario Carotenuto, a member of parliament from the Five Star Movement—shared accounts of their treatment in Israel. Mantovani described being beaten by Israeli forces after being taken to a container detention facility, which he ominously labeled a “place of terror.”
In Istanbul, British activist Richard Johan Anderson told journalists, “We were beaten, tortured, systematically dehumanized, and… we’ve just felt a tiny bit of what the Palestinian people go through every day.” Supporting these claims, Adalah, an Israeli-based human rights group representing detainees, previously reported “widespread severe injuries,” noting that at least three individuals required hospitalization. The group’s lawyers, who spoke with hundreds of activists at Ashdod Port, documented a “large number of complaints regarding extreme violence” perpetrated by Israeli authorities.
The alleged mistreatment has triggered strong international condemnation. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono condemned the inhumane treatment of the volunteers, stating, “Actions that degrade the dignity of civilians on a humanitarian mission constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law that cannot be tolerated.”
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand echoed these sentiments on Friday (22/05), confirming receipt of “information from my officials detailing the appalling treatment of Canadian citizens detained in Israel.” While Anand did not provide specific details of the treatment, she emphasized, “Canada unequivocally condemns the ill-treatment of Canadian citizens in Israel. Those responsible for these egregious abuses must be held accountable.”
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry confirmed that consular officials met with German activists upon their arrival in Istanbul on Thursday (21/05) and reported that several had sustained injuries. The spokesperson reiterated that the humane treatment of German citizens is an “absolute priority,” adding, “We naturally expect a full explanation, as some of the allegations made are serious.” Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also informed reporters that four of the 44 Spanish activists had received medical attention for their injuries.
Despite these widespread international concerns and detailed accusations, the Israeli prison authorities issued a statement reiterating their earlier denial, asserting that the various allegations are “not true and completely lacking factual basis.” They affirmed, “All detainees were held according to law, with full respect for their basic rights and under the supervision of professional and trained prison officers.” The statement also ensured that “medical treatment was provided according to professional medical assessment and in line with health ministry guidelines.”
The Israeli government has characterized the actions of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 volunteers and activists as a “mere publicity stunt” designed to serve Hamas. Consequently, the Israeli Navy was ordered to board the convoy of ships in international waters west of Cyprus on Monday (18/05) and Tuesday (19/05).
Earlier in the week, Israel faced rare criticism from over 20 nations following actions by its National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees Israeli prisons and police. A video circulating showed Ben Gvir reportedly mocking dozens of activists as they were forced to kneel, handcuffed, and prostrate. The footage also depicted activists being handled roughly by Israeli forces. This incident even prompted an unusual rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that such actions were “not in line with Israeli values.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0, comprising more than 50 vessels, set sail from Turkey last week with the stated intention of breaking Israel’s maritime blockade on Gaza and delivering essential food and medical aid. On Monday morning (18/05), Israeli Navy forces began intercepting the convoy in international waters west of Cyprus, approximately 460 km from the Gaza coast, which remains under Israeli naval blockade. The detained volunteers and activists were then transferred to Israeli ships, brought to Ashdod Port, and subsequently moved to Israeli prisons. By Thursday (21/05), Israel had deported 422 individuals from 41 countries, including nine Indonesian citizens, with many having since returned to their respective home countries.
Summary
Pro-Palestinian activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla allege inhumane treatment, including sexual violence, rubber bullet shootings, and physical assault, during detention by the Israeli military. These claims surfaced after Israeli forces intercepted their vessels in international waters. Organizations like Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 reported numerous cases of sexual violence and severe injuries among the activists.
Israeli prison authorities vehemently deny these accusations, stating they are “untrue and completely lacking factual basis” and that detainees’ rights were respected. However, several governments, including Canada, Germany, and Spain, confirmed injuries and “appalling treatment” of their citizens, with Canada demanding accountability. The Israeli government characterized the flotilla as a “publicity stunt” designed to serve Hamas.