Egypt sentences two Israelis to five years in jail for assaulting hotel workers
CAIRO, May 3 (Reuters) - An Egyptian court has sentenced two Israeli citizens to five years in jail for assaulting hotel workers in the Red Sea town of Taba near the border with Israel last year, an Egyptian security source said on Saturday.
In August, three Arab Israeli tourists and two Egyptian hotel workers were injured when a fight broke out at a hotel after one of the tourists insulted one of the employees, security sources said at the time.
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The National
an hour ago
- The National
Freedom Flotilla gives statement as Israel 'illegally seizes' Madleen
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition spoke through its Telegram channel after its ship the Madleen was captured by Israel. The 12 people on board – including Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan and Al Jazeera correspondent Omar Faiad – have been imprisoned. The Madleen had been sailing under a UK red ensign, meaning it was under UK jurisdiction in international waters, when Israel attacked it. The move has been described as a 'clear breach' of international law by the Turkish government, while the UK's has remained silent. READ MORE: UK Government sends spy plane over Gaza as Freedom Flotilla ship threatened by Israel The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said: 'It's time for our governments to do their jobs and sanction Israel. Its illegal attack on 'Madleen' while sailing in international waters is a small extension of their war crimes in Gaza. 'Governments, institutions, media, and corporations must stop protecting Israel, now. They must stop prioritising profit over human lives, now. 'Protect our volunteers while protecting Palestinians in Gaza and wider Palestine.' On the abduction of MEP Hassan, the group said it was 'not only an attack on civilians, but a direct assault on international law, parliamentary immunity, and the principle of free humanitarian access'. It went on: 'Israel must be held accountable. The European Parliament must formally demand her immediate release and Israel's legal accountability. 'This interception is a direct result of the international community's ongoing failure to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes. Activists pictured on the Madleen, which was sailing under a UK flag (Image: Freedom Flotilla) 'A state currently on trial for genocide must not be allowed to dictate whether life-saving aid reaches the very people it stands accused of trying to destroy.' The Freedom Flotilla Coalition pointed to the 2010 raid on their ships by the Israeli military, which also occurred in international waters and left 10 volunteers dead. The group said: 'No state has the authority to enforce an unlawful blockade, especially one whose primary purpose is to starve civilians and obstruct humanitarian relief. 'Israel's threats and attacks against peaceful ships like 'Madleen', carrying essential aid and international human rights defenders, are part of its broader pattern of impunity and disregard for international norms.' The unlawful seizure of the Madleen The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said of the boat seizure: 'At 3:02AM EEST, 110 nautical miles from Gaza, the 'Madleen' was illegally boarded by the IOF [Israel Occupation Forces] in international waters. 'Prior to their abduction, quadcopter drones flew in close range before attacking the 'Madleen' with a white chemical-like substance, harming their eyes. Signals were jammed, and disturbing audio was broadcast to interfere with communication over the radio system as the IOF boarded. 'Our volunteers were attacked and taken against their will while sailing lawfully toward Palestinian territorial waters, where Israel has no right to control. 'The 'Madleen' has reportedly been seized, and our aid, including baby formula, food, and medical supplies, has also been taken.' CCTV image shared by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (Image: FFC) Sharing security footage timestamped 2:02AM, the group added: 'This is the last moment that the Freedom Flotilla Coalition ground team saw their friends, comrades and family members while they were being illegally intercepted, boarded and abducted by the Israeli military. Their whereabouts remain unknown. 'At this time, we are urgently working to locate the 11 international volunteers and one journalist abducted from 'Madleen'. 'According to the Israeli Immigration Authority, they are not yet in its custody. FFC lawyers in occupied Palestine have repeatedly contacted Israeli military officials, but are yet to receive any response to inquiries since the early hours of the morning.' Who is on board the Madleen? There are twelve civilian crew members on board the ship, which is flying the UK flag. The crew members are: Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate and social justice activist Baptise Andre, French physician Omar Faiad, French journalist with Al Jazeera Reva Viard, French climate activist Rima Hassan, French member of the European parliament, representing La France Insoumise party Yanis Mhamdi, French journalist with independent media outlet Blast Pascal Maurieras, French activist Suayb Ordu, Turkish activist Marco van Rennes, Dutch marine engineering student Sergio Toribio, Spanish crew member, a member of marine conservation NGO Sea Shepherd Thiago Avila, Brazilian journalist, social activist and politician Yasemin Acar, German activist of Kurdish descent Israel's statements Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the Madleen was being taken to the port of Ashdod, which is around 17 miles north of Gaza. Katz said: "I congratulate the IDF for the quick and safe takeover of the 'Madleen' flotilla to prevent them from breaking the blockade and reaching the shores of Gaza. "I instructed the IDF to show the flotilla passengers the video of the horrors of the October 7 massacre when they arrive at the port of Ashdod. "It is appropriate that the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly who the Hamas terrorist organisation they came to support and for whom they work is, what atrocities they committed against women, the elderly, and children, and against whom Israel is fighting to defend itself. "The IDF will continue its war against the Hamas murderers with all its moral righteousness until they are subdued, all the hostages are released, and the security of the State of Israel is ensured." Separately, Israel's foreign ministry called the boat a "selfie yacht' and claimed the "show is over". All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over. — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025 It went on: "While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included less than a single truckload of aid — more than 1200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza. "There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies. Israel is preparing to hold the 12 unlawfully detained activists in separate cells in Givon Prison in Ramla, media in the country is reporting. The far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is said to have ordered officials to block the detainees from having any pro-Palestine symbols or access to any electronic communications equipment.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
All we know as Greta Thunberg 'kidnapped' after Israel intercepts aid flotilla
The 22-year-old activist took to social media to state she was 'kidnapped' after the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said the Madleen vessel was intercepted early today Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid vessel has been stopped before landing in Israel, with the activist claiming she was "kidnapped" and calling on the Swedish government to help. The 22-year-old's Madleen aid flotilla, which was en route to Gaza, had been travelling for several days after departing Sicily on Friday. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the organisation responsible for the yacht, said it was carrying humanitarian aid and said the vessel, which departed Italy on Friday, was "prepared for the possibility of an Israeli attack" before claiming it was "forcibly intercepted" by Israeli officials. Israeli authorities stopped the vessel around 160 nautical miles before it reached the Gaza coast, with defence minister Israel Katz saying the state would "act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organisations". Vessel blocked from entering Israel early in the morning Israeli authorities intercepted the Madleen early in the morning at around 5.30am local time as it wound near the Egyptian coast, it has been reported, with the FFC raising the alarm via Telegram. Posting a picture of the crew wearing life jackets and sitting with their arms raised, the group said: "SOS! The volunteers on Madleen have been kidnapped by Israeli forces." Greta's 'kidnap' claims Ms Thunberg has claimed she and her fellow crewmembers were "kidnapped" when they were intercepted at the coast trying to cross an Israeli blockade. The group of 12 had recorded videos ahead of time for their loved ones that would be released in the event something to happened to them. Ms Thunberg said in hers that the team was "intercepted and kidnapped in international waters" by "forces that support Israel" and urged her loved ones to "put pressure on the Swedish government" for a response. She said: "I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible." Israel has denied this, saying in a post on X that activists aboard the boat were "unharmed" and were now making their way to Israel "safely". Israel's response Israel Katz, Israel's Minister of Defence, has vocally responded to the situation with the boat via social media, in one post saying he instructed the IDF to prevent the boat landing on Gaza, claiming it was a "hate flotilla". The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), of which the Madleen is part, is a grassroots activist organisation that is working to reach Palestinians through what it claims is a 17-year blockade that is causing an "ongoing humanitarian crisis". He said: "I have instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to act to prevent the 'Madeleine' [sic] hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza - and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end." He then spoke directly to the crew, members of whom he sensationally claimed were "antisemitic". He said: "To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: You should turn back - because you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organisations – at sea, in the air, and on land." Palestine's response Palestinian authorities have also stepped into the discourse, with West Bank officials calling for activists on board the Madleen to be protected. The Palestinian defence ministry called the activists' actions "noble" and said, also in a post on X, that it "salutes the international solidarity activists aboard the ship attempting to break the siege on the Gaza Strip". UN's calls for aid The incident has also captured the attention of the United Nations, with the UN's special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories urging boats to continue challenging the blockade. Francesca Albanese said: "While Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together - united, they will be unstoppable." Ms Albanese also reached out to the British government, asking ministers to "urgently seek full clarification" and "secure the immediate release of the vessel and its crew".
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Greta Thunberg arrested: Has Greta Thunberg been kidnapped? The activists on board 'selfie yacht' Madleen
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was on board the yacht Madleen when the vessel was detailed by Israeli authorities. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Israeli forces stopped a Gaza-bound aid boat and detained Greta Thunberg among 12 activists who were on board early on Monday. The move enforced a long-standing blockade of the Palestinian territory that has been tightened during the war with Hamas. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The activists on board the Madleen had set out to protest against Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, both of which have put the territory of some two million Palestinians at risk of famine. Greta Thunberg, who was on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, has been detained. | PA The Palestinian foreign ministry called for protection of the activists' safety, as a statement issued on behalf of Ms Thunberg claimed those on board the vessel had been 'kidnapped'. Greta Thunberg 'kidnapped' claims The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organised the voyage, said the activists were 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to the territory. 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo, including baby formula, food and medical supplies, confiscated,' it said in a statement. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The coalition said the ship was seized in international waters some 120 miles from Gaza. What has Israel's Foreign Ministry said? Israel's Foreign Ministry cast the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a post on X 'the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel'. It said the passengers would return to their home countries and the aid would be delivered to Gaza through established channels. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The boat was expected to arrive at the Israeli port of Ashdod later on Monday. It later circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing orange life vests. Why has Great Thunberg said? Thunberg, a climate campaigner, was among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which set sail from Sicily a week ago. Along the way, the vessel had stopped on Thursday to rescue four migrants who had jumped overboard to avoid being detained by the Libyan coast guard. Swede Greta Thunberg came to prominence as a teenage climate activist but lately has been condemning Israel's response to the 2023 Hamas attacks. Picture:'I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible,' Thunberg said in a pre-recorded message released after the ship was halted. Who else was on board? Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, was also among the volunteers on board. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She was among six French citizens aboard the boat. French President Emmanuel Macron asked Israel to allow them to return to France as soon as possible, his office said in a statement. Adalah, a rights group in Israel that said it was representing the activists, said Israel had 'no legal authority' to take over the ship because it was in international waters and because it was headed not to Israel but to the 'territorial waters of the state of Palestine'. 'The arrest of the unarmed activists, who operated in a civilian manner to provide humanitarian aid, amounts to a serious breach of international law,' Adalah said in a statement. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Why is foreign aid into Gaza being blocked? After a two-and-a-half-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers and experts have warned of famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive. An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group's vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship. Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's Palestinian population. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Israel sealed Gaza off from all aid in the early days of the war ignited by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, but later relented under US pressure. A Palestinian girl holds an empty pan at a hot meal distribution point in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip. Picture: Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images In early March, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, the country again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and medicine. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages, more than half of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas is still holding 55 hostages, more than half of them believed to be dead. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up most of the dead. It does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90 per cent of the territory's population, leaving people there almost completely dependent on international aid. Efforts to broker another truce have been deadlocked for months.
