More than 400 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla who were deported from Israel to Istanbul this week described physical and psychological abuse during detention, according to organizers, lawyers and multiple governments. Turkey said 422 activists, including 85 Turkish nationals, were flown on three planes chartered by Ankara.
Organizers said at least 15 cases of sexual assault were reported, along with beatings, use of tasers and rubber bullets fired at close range. Adalah, an Israel-based human rights group representing detainees, said lawyers documented testimonies of attacks that left some with suspected broken bones. Israel’s prison service denied the allegations.
Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, deported earlier than others, said he and fellow detainees were taken to Ben Gurion airport in handcuffs and leg chains. British activist Richard Johan Anderson told reporters in Istanbul that detainees were systematically dehumanized. Germany and Spain confirmed that some of their citizens had injuries.
The flotilla of about 50 boats carrying humanitarian supplies was intercepted in international waters roughly 250 miles off Israel’s coast. The deportations followed global condemnation of a video posted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir showing him taunting detained activists. Italy’s prosecutors are investigating possible crimes including kidnapping and sexual assault.
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Sources:
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/5/22/headlines