Pro-Palestinian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla and their families denounce physical, psychological, and sexual abuse during their detention in Israel after the interception of the ship. The Adalah group maintains that the crew members have already been released from prison and are awaiting deportation, while three flights with some of the detainees have already landed in Istanbul.
The main gap in the case appears between their release from jail and the account of what happened inside. The legal team assures that they documented six cases of harassment and sexual abuse, at least three hospitalizations, and several crew members with suspected broken ribs, while family members like former deputy Francesc Vendrell claim that 72 hours have passed without direct news of some detainees.
Adalah documented six cases of sexual abuse and at least three hospitalizations
Adalah's legal team claims to have collected reports of injuries, humiliation, and sexual violence following the boarding and transfer to an Israeli prison. Among the episodes described is that of a detainee who, according to the lawyers, was forced to undress and run while several guards laughed.
The lawyers place the increase in violence at the very moment of interception. The legal team assures that the escalation began during the assault with the use of rubber bullets, before entering prison and subsequent interrogations.
"Throughout this detention, we have seen an increase and escalation of violence, starting from the interception itself, where we witnessed the use of rubber bullets" - Adalah legal team
Francesc Vendrell, former deputy and partner of the former mayor of Montcada i Reixac Laura Campos, stated that he has had no news of her for 72 hours. Vendrell also described the Israeli action as "maritime piracy."
Laia Rosell, whose partner remains among the arrested activists, also explained that the last known information about the crew members comes from the cameras installed on the ships during the Israeli army's assault.
Seven countries registered legal actions for the lack of protection for their citizens
The case has also led to a judicial offensive on several fronts. Legal actions have been initiated in Turkey, Poland, Morocco, Italy, Indonesia, France, and Spain for the inaction of those states in protecting their citizens and to request the international arrest of several Israeli officials.
Israel, for its part, confirmed the departure of the foreign activists. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that all non-Israeli members of the flotilla have already been expelled from the country and defended that it will not allow any violation of the naval blockade on Gaza.
While these procedures advance, three flights with detained members of the flotilla have already arrived in Istanbul. The activists with Spanish passports are scheduled to arrive this Friday in Barcelona, Madrid, and Bilbao.
An activist of Israeli origin remains in Israeli territory after the expulsion of the rest of the group's members.