Gaza flotilla activists set for deportation from Israel as backlash over treatment grows

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists who were detained successful Israel aft their flotilla bringing symbolic assistance to Gaza was intercepted are acceptable to beryllium deported from the country.

It follows planetary backlash successful effect to a video posted by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied down their backs.

On Thursday, the UK confirmed it had summoned Israel's apical diplomat successful Britain, complaint d'affaires Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, implicit the incident.

In a statement, the UK Foreign Office said the determination reflected the UK's "strong condemnation of [Ben Gvir's] behaviour successful taunting those progressive successful the Global Sumud Flotilla".

"We are besides profoundly acrophobic by the detention conditions depicted and person demanded an mentation from the Israeli authorities. We made wide their obligations to support the rights of each those involved," the connection said.

There has besides been condemnation from the US, France, Italy and Canada, and Ireland.

On Thursday, Italian person Dario Carotenuto and writer Alessandro Mantovani, who were portion of the flotilla, were pictured arriving astatine Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, aft archetypal being flown to Athens.

Speaking to reporters, Carotenuto said they had been beaten aft arriving successful Israel.

Adalah, an Israel-based rights radical representing the detainees, earlier said determination had been "severe, wide injuries", with astatine slightest 3 radical taken to infirmary for treatment.

Israeli authorities person not commented connected the allegations.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his state was conducting peculiar flights that would bring Turkish citizens arsenic good arsenic 3rd state participants to Turkey.

Spain's overseas curate said its diplomats successful Israel had been informed that immoderate 44 Spanish flotilla members would depart from Israel astatine 15:00 section clip (12:00 BST).

Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, said 15 Irish citizens who had been detained were expected to beryllium flown to Turkey.

More than 50 boats taking portion successful the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) acceptable sail from Turkey past Thursday carrying a token magnitude of aid. Four 100 and 30 radical from much than 40 countries were connected board.

Israel dismissed the enactment arsenic a "PR stunt astatine the work of Hamas".

On Monday morning, equipped Israeli naval commandos began intercepting the fleet successful planetary waters westbound of Cyprus, astir 250 nautical miles (460km) from the seashore of Gaza, which is nether an Israeli maritime blockade.

Clare Azzougarh told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme her begetter Malcolm Ducker, who is successful his aboriginal 70s, was 1 of the British citizens detained and she had nary accusation connected what was happening.

"We cognize they've been taken to Ketziot situation but different we're wholly successful the dark."

Azzougarh added her father, who is simply a retired RAF pilot, was connected a flotilla which was intercepted successful October but this year's arrests were "indeed an escalation of utmost violence".

The British government's effect "needs to beryllium much than words" arsenic they "ring alternatively hollow".

"We request actions, we request to cognize what representations they've made to the Israeli overseas ministry. We request to cognize what actions they're doing to get our loved ones out."