Region | Palestinian Territories

All detained activists en route home: Israel

Israelis "roughed up and humiliated men, women and children", reveal activists who were deported from Israel after a raid on a Gaza aid flotilla

By Layelle Saad, GCC/Middle East Editor
Published: 13:15 June 2, 2010

Deported pro-Palestinian activists arrive in Jordan

Image Credit: Reuters
Activists arrested during a raid on an aid convoy sailing to Gaza, gesture as they arrive in Jordan, after crossing the Allenby Bridge crossing point between Israel and Jordan on June 2, 2010.

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Occupied Jerusalem: The hundreds of activists detained in a deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla have all been released from prison to be deported, a prisons authority spokesman said on Wednesday.

"There are no longer any detainees in prison," Yron Zamir told AFP when asked about the activists detained after Monday's commando raid in international waters that killed nine passengers.

He said they were all taken to Ben Gurion international airport near Tel Aviv or to the Jordanian border.

Israel's attorney general Yehuda Weinstein says Israel has decided not to prosecute any of the activists.

Officials had earlier said they were considering prosecuting about 50 people believed to be involved in violence.

But Weinstein wrote in his order Wednesday that "keeping them here would do more damage to the country's vital interests than good." Israeli soldiers killed nine activists in the raid Monday.

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Authorities said 682 people from 42 countries had been aboard the six ships that tried to bust the Gaza blockade.

There was very little official information about the condition of the injured passengers being treated in Israeli hospitals.

Physicians for Human Rights put the number of wounded activists at 52.

Meanwhile, In his first remarks on it, Pope Benedict urged Mideast authorities to hold talks and to guarantee better conditions for Palestinians who live in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli and Egyptian naval blockade since 2007.

"With profound trepidation, I am following the events that occurred near the Gaza Strip," Benedict told pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.

"I feel the need to express my heartfelt condolences for the victims of this most sorrowful event, which worry all those who have peace in the region at their heart."

Gaza aid flotilla activists deported from Israel arrived in Jordan on Wednesday as regional and international anger mounted against an Israeli attack on a Gaza aid convoy, with Turkey leading the way saying "enough is enough".

Many reports have emerged from among the 124 activist who crossed over into Amman, Jordan on Wednesday. One of the activists recounted his ordeal, saying that the Israelis were "brutal and arrogant".

"Israelis roughed up and humiliated all of us, women, men and children," said Kuwaiti Member of Parliament Walid Al Tabtabai.

According to a report in the Guardian, an Algerian activist, who gave her name as Sabrina, said that Israeli troops pointed their gun at a one-year-old Turkish child in front of his parents to force the captain of the Mavi Marmara to stop sailing.

"It was an ugly kidnapping and subsequently bad treatment in Israeli jail," said Algerian Izzeddine Zahrour. "They handcuffed us, pushed us around and humiliated us."

Read more about the activists' ordeals

Among those who arrived in Jordan was Gulf News reporter Abbas Al Lawati, who was aboard the Mavi Marmara when it was attacked by Israeli forces on Monday.

Speaking to Gulf News, Al Lawati said that all of his possessions have been confiscated, including his passport. This means he will be sent to his home country of Oman, although he lives and works in Dubai.

Israel was deporting at least 250 detained activists, the Israeli army radio reported. Early on Wednesday, an Israeli government official said that a first group of around 50 Turkish nationals were headed to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, from where they would be deported.

The decision to release the activists came after mounting international pressure to free the detainees.

International reaction to Israeli attack on Freedom Flotilla

The UN Security Council called for the ships and the civilians who had been on board to be released and to transport the aid to Gaza.

"This bloody massacre by Israel on ships that were taking humanitarian aid to Gaza deserves every kind of curse," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, demanding that Israel immediately lift its "inhumane" blockade of Gaza.

"They have once again showed to the world that they know how good they are at killing people," Erdogan said. "Israel in no way can legitimise this murder, it cannot wash its hands of this blood." Erdogan added that Turkey would continue to support the Palestinian people.

Video: Protests in Gaza

Call for an investigation

Worldwide, protests coincided with a United Nations Security Council decision to condemn Israel, in a marathon 12-hour session, pitting Turkey against Israel's biggest ally, the US.

Meanwhile, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered that the Rafah borders be temporarily opened to allow aid into Gaza.

Text of the UN Security Council statement

Kuwait on Tuesday pulled out of the Arab peace initiative after accepting a resolution passed by the parliament. The recommendation had urged the government to pull out of the peace plan that offered Israel full normalisation of ties in exchange for full withdrawal from occupied Arab land.

The UAE's Federal National Council condemned the attack and called for an international investigation.

European Union (EU) foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton promised that Europe would intensify its efforts to get Israel to lift its Gaza blockade.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel should stand trial. "The Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Conference must not be satisfied with anything less than a full lifting of the Gaza blockade," he said.

The Arab League was to meet late last night in an emergency session in Cairo.

With inputs from Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter, and agencies

Should Israel be held accountable for the attacks? What would be the most appropriate reaction from the international community? Post your comment by clicking on the link below

Comments (15)

Added 17:30 June 2, 2010

A sign that we muslims should unite against this great injustice committed by Israel there should be no fear in our hearts except the fear of Allah and the hereafter,If fear of gains in this duniya occupies our heart,then be prepared for further injustice.

Ummreen, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:26 June 2, 2010

I am not a supporter of Israel. But I strongly believe that one should never play with the tail of a wolf. When will we learn and accept that Israel is a superpower in the Middle East, and she responds harshly when agitated. These innocent victims could have been alive today if they had backed out of this mission which was a disaster waiting to happen. If you think the world will never forget what had happend to the Flotilla, you are absolutely wrong! Didn't the world almost forget Gaza? Didn't the world forget Sabra a Shatila? Didn't the world forget what Ariel Sharon did to Jenin? Yes.....the world did forget all of these horrific events and the Flotilla is no exception!

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:59 June 2, 2010

Let Us Focus on One problem and no to blame other countries which are not involve on the Situation happened in Freedom Flotilla Aid..Be aware, Be smart, Be kind. Let Us All Be United on One Act to have peace on Earth and demolish the Terrorism aid and Brutal movements..Lets finish the inhumane activities.. God is Great....

Eisenheim Ferzeus, abu dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:26 June 2, 2010

Yes, Israel should be held resposible for this bloody attack. When till America is there, Israel will be safe. If international community really want to take any most reaction against Israel, then they should put pressure on America.

Shaikh Mohammad Ayoub, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:25 June 2, 2010

Yes, Israel should be held resposible for this bloody attack. When till America is there, Israel will be safe. If international community really want to take any most reaction against Israel, then they should put pressure on America. The world should understand properly that untill America and Israel will be exist on the surface of the earth any kind of peace will be impossible.

Shaikh Mohammed Ayyub, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:19 June 2, 2010

Israel is like a wild child and the US its parents. The parents refuse to chastise the child and as such its behavior gets worse and upsets all the other law abiding people. Not until the US has the guts to say enough is enough, will it stop. Come on Obama, stand up for the interest groups in the USA and do what is right and just!

Anthony Ratcliffe, Warrington, United Kingdom

Added 14:27 June 2, 2010

Regardless of race, religion & political views...this is an inhuman act. All countries must take action.

Anonymous, abu dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:15 June 2, 2010

Israel took the decission to use force on these ships because they wanted to set the record right that no one should ever think of doing something like this again. Now the world community has seen what Israel has done, 100 more ships having goods for the people of Palestine should leave for them right now. Someone really needs to teach Israel a lesson and the most peaceful way of doing that is to send another shipment this time with more ships and far more people onboard. There will be a point where Israel will come to terms, the more people stay quiet the more they will become arogant and use force...

Camron Hyder, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:48 June 2, 2010

minutes after minutes, hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, Israel is laughing and hiding behind US Government as their Big Brother and Protector whilst the World only condems and does nothing. This is not justice, this is just a "Grand Play" being repeated time after time. The Actors and Actresses are the Palestians who are the Victims , Israelis Army & its' Politicians are the Director whils tthe US Government, with due respect to US people,s is the Producer and the rest of the World are the Audience. This will not end until someone says "Hey, lets' take a concrete action and stop these reruns".

Ahmad Zemy Kamarulzaman, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 08:45 June 2, 2010

Its a shame on the United Nations organization which feels satisfied by just COndemning the attack, which shows its clear partiality towards the muslim community.When it comes to taking action against Iraq , Afghanistan they just did not stop by condemning the rulers , they took concrete actions but when it comes to taking action against Israeli atrocities, they just condemn it. This is the height of Hypocricy.Infact UN is equally responsible for this as it did not take any action against israeli warning of the attack much before. All muslim countries need to unite and take a united stand and some stern action not just by words but by some actions and should force UN also to take some actions.Mere words are just not good enough.Its a pity that we are not united , infact on one hand we go ga-ga over Israeli actions and on the other hand , we help their businesses run by following their companies.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates