UK – BBC, Oct. 04, 2025
Israel says it has deported another 137 activists detained when a flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza was intercepted this week.
The Israeli foreign ministry said those expelled on Saturday are citizens of 14 countries, including the US and UK. On Friday, four Italian activists were deported.
Israeli authorities arrested about 470 people as dozens of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were stopped by Israeli forces from reaching Gaza.
The GSF called the interceptions illegal, while Israel described the flotilla’s actions as a “publicity stunt”. The blocking of the flotilla sparked protests around the world.
In a post on X on Saturday, the Israeli foreign ministry said 137 “provocateurs” had been deported to Turkey.
Those expelled are citizens of the UK, US, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Malaysia, Bahrain, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Turkey, the ministry said.
The first boats were stopped on Wednesday in international waters about 70 nautical miles (130km) off Gaza. Israel has been policing this area but does not have jurisdiction there.
Grainy night-time footage livestreamed from some of the boats showed them sailing towards Gaza.
Israel said its navy told the boats to change course as they were “approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade”.
On Friday, the Israeli foreign ministry said: “Already four Italian citizens have been deported. The rest are in the process of being deported. Israel is keen to end this procedure as quickly as possible.”
