Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg was among more than 70 international individuals released from Israeli detention after participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which is set to depart Israel today.
According to statements from the governments involved, most of those released will be flown to Greece, where they can catch connecting flights back to their home countries. Among those scheduled to leave Israel today are 28 French citizens, 27 Greeks, 15 Italians, and nine Swedes. Meanwhile, 21 Spanish nationals had already returned home yesterday.
However, some foreign nationals remain in Israeli custody, including 28 Spanish citizens.
The Global Sumud Flotilla consisted of 45 ships carrying activists and politicians attempting to bypass Israel’s blockade to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israel began intercepting the vessels in international waters last Wednesday, preventing the flotilla, carrying over 400 people, from reaching Palestinian territories, according to an Israeli official.
The foreign ministries of Italy and Greece confirmed that their citizens would be flown from Israel to Athens today. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani added that the 15 Italians being released would receive assistance with flights home from Greece.
The humanitarian volunteer group also included 23 Malaysians detained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), who arrived at Istanbul Airport in Turkey for health checks before being allowed to return to Malaysia, according to the Malaysian Embassy in Ankara.
France’s Foreign Ministry stated that 28 of its citizens would be flown to Greece, representing most of the 30 French nationals detained during the flotilla. Sweden’s Foreign Ministry did not disclose the flight destinations of its citizens, but Swedish media reported they may also travel to Greece.
Earlier, a first group of 26 Italians had already departed Israel on Saturday. The remaining 15 Italians had to wait due to judicial expulsion procedures after refusing to sign voluntary release forms. Some Italians reported mistreatment by Israeli authorities, with journalist Saverio Tommasi saying he was beaten on the back and head, describing the treatment as “like old monkeys in the worst circus of the 1920s,” according to Ansa news agency.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard confirmed that embassy officials in Tel Aviv visited the nine remaining Swedes still detained, noting that Israeli authorities informed them late Sunday that the Swedish citizens would be allowed to leave Israel on Monday.
Spanish detainee Rafael Borrego told media that those held by Israel suffered repeated physical and mental abuse, including beatings and being forced to lie on the ground.
