Latest news with #FreedomFlotilla
UAE Moments
21 hours ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Freedom Flotilla: US Activist Chris Smalls Assaulted in Israeli Custody
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has reported that prominent US labor activist Chris Smalls was physically assaulted while in Israeli custody after being detained during a humanitarian mission to Gaza. Smalls, the former president of the Amazon Labor Union, was among 21 international activists and journalists aboard the ship Handala when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. According to a statement released by the FFC, Smalls was violently attacked by seven uniformed individuals while in detention. 'They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back,' the coalition said in a social media post. The incident reportedly occurred before his lawyer was granted access to meet with him. During that meeting, Smalls was surrounded by six members of Israel's special police unit, a show of force that the FFC claims was not used against other detained activists. The organization strongly condemned what it called the ' discriminatory treatment ' of Smalls, demanding transparency and accountability for the assault. Smalls' presence on the Handala was part of the Freedom Flotilla, a campaign involving civil society members from around the world who aim to break the blockade on Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid and drawing global attention to the crisis in the Palestinian territory. Handala followed the Madleen mission, which also ended in the deportation and arrest deportation of the volunteers, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The FFC emphasized that all participants on board were engaged in a peaceful mission and had committed to nonviolent principles. The group's claims raise serious concerns about the treatment of detainees by Israeli authorities, particularly in cases involving high-profile international figures. As international pressure mounts, human rights organizations are now calling for a thorough investigation into the reported assault and broader scrutiny of Israel's handling of peaceful protest actions related to Gaza. The incident has drawn widespread outrage, with supporters of Smalls and the Freedom Flotilla demanding his immediate release and a public inquiry into the use of force against nonviolent activists. This article was previously published on qatarmoments. To see the original article, click here
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Gaza aid boat activists on hunger strike after Israeli detention, says NGO
JERUSALEM, July 29 — More than a dozen activists being held by Israel after their aid boat was intercepted en route to Gaza launched a hunger strike on Monday to protest their detention, according to a local NGO assisting them. At least five of the 21 passengers of the Freedom Flotilla vessel Handala have agreed to be summarily deported after the boat was stopped and boarded by the Israeli navy while attempting to break a military blockade of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. The legal aid group Adalah said that on Monday afternoon, 'hearings concluded at Givon Prison, concerning the continued detention of the 14 volunteers who… refused to consent to an expedited deportation process'. 'During the hearings, the volunteers stressed that their mission was humanitarian — motivated by the need to act against Israel's illegal siege and the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,' the group said in a statement. One US activist reported 'severe physical violence by Israeli forces', while others described being held in poor conditions, Adalah said. 'The activists told the tribunal that they remain on an open hunger strike in protest of their unlawful detention,' it added. It later said the tribunal had 'upheld the continued detention of the 14 volunteers'. Israel has been treating their cases as immigration violations, which Adalah maintains is illegal, saying they were brought into the country against their will from international waters. The Handala's 21 passengers hailed from 10 countries, and included two French lawmakers and a pair of Al Jazeera journalists. Adalah said at least one of the lawmakers, the two journalists and two other passengers were already on their way out of the country. Two passengers who were Israeli-American dual nationals were released after being interrogated, according to the organisation. A previous boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was also intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters on June 9. It carried 12 campaigners, including prominent Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The activists were eventually expelled by Israel. — AFP
Roya News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Detained Handala aid ship activists launch hunger strike: Reports
More than a dozen international activists detained by 'Israel' after their aid boat Handala was intercepted en route to Gaza have launched a hunger strike to protest what they describe as forced and unlawful detention, according to legal aid group Adalah. The 21 activists on board the Handala, part of the Freedom Flotilla aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza, included nationals from ten countries, among them two French lawmakers, two Al Jazeera journalists, and several humanitarian volunteers. The 'Israeli' navy intercepted the boat in international waters and forcibly brought all passengers into 'Israel,' Adalah said. So far, five passengers have agreed to expedited deportation, while 14 others refused and were brought before the immigration tribunal at Givon Prison in Ramle on Monday. The hearings ended with the tribunal upholding their continued detention. The activists, represented by Adalah, reiterated during the session that their mission was purely humanitarian, aimed at opposing the ongoing siege of Gaza and the alleged genocide against Palestinians. Among the 14 who appeared in court were Americans Brandon Belloso and Christian Smalls; Australians Tania Safi and Robert Martin; French nationals Justine Kempf and Emma Forro (also holding Swedish citizenship); Italian Antonio La Picerella; British-French citizen Chloe Fiona Louden; Spaniards Sergio Toribio Sanchez and Santiago Gonzalez Vallejo; Norwegian Vigdis Bjorvand; and Tunisian Hatem Al-Ouini. Adalah noted that most of them are engaged in an open-ended hunger strike. Their lawyers reported that while their health remains relatively stable, concerns are growing over the legality and conditions of their detention. One US activist reportedly suffered 'severe physical violence' at the hands of 'Israeli' forces, while others have described poor detention conditions. ''Israel' is treating these activists as if they had illegally entered the country,' Adalah said. 'But they were forcibly taken from international waters. Under Israeli law, they were given two options: accept voluntary deportation or appear before a judge to determine whether they will remain detained until deportation is finalized.' The legal group further criticized the immigration proceedings at Givon, stating they give 'Israeli' authorities wide discretion to prolong detentions even without a substantial legal basis. Similar cases occurred with activists on the Maddeline, another flotilla ship seized by 'Israel' on June 9. According to Adalah, at least one of the French lawmakers, the two journalists, and two other passengers have since been deported. Two dual 'Israeli'-American nationals were reportedly released after interrogation. The flotilla's mission—led by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition—has seen four of its boats seized by 'Israel' in recent months, with Handala being the latest. The activists maintain that their efforts are part of a global nonviolent campaign to end the siege on Gaza and draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Detained aid boat activists launch hunger strike
More than a dozen activists being held by Israel after their aid boat was intercepted en route to Gaza launched a hunger strike on Monday to protest their detention, according to a local NGO assisting them. At least five of the 21 passengers of the Freedom Flotilla vessel Handala have agreed to be summarily deported after the boat was stopped and boarded by the Israeli navy while attempting to break a military blockade of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. The legal aid group Adalah said that on Monday afternoon, "hearings concluded at Givon Prison, concerning the continued detention of the 14 volunteers who (...) refused to consent to an expedited deportation process". "During the hearings, the volunteers stressed that their mission was humanitarian — motivated by the need to act against Israel's illegal siege and the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza," the group said in a statement. One U.S. activist reported "severe physical violence by Israeli forces", while others described being held in poor conditions, Adalah said. "The activists told the tribunal that they remain on an open hunger strike in protest of their unlawful detention," it added. It later said the tribunal had "upheld the continued detention of the 14 volunteers". Israel has been treating their cases as immigration violations, which Adalah maintains is illegal, saying they were brought into the country against their will from international waters. The Handala's 21 passengers hailed from 10 countries, and included two French lawmakers and a pair of Al Jazeera journalists. Adalah said at least one of the lawmakers, the two journalists and two other passengers were already on their way out of the country. Two passengers who were Israeli-American dual nationals were released after being interrogated, according to the organisation. A previous boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was also intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters on June 9. It carried 12 campaigners, including prominent Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The activists were eventually expelled by Israel.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Detained Gaza aid boat activists launch hunger strike: NGO
JERUSALEM: More than a dozen activists being held by Israel after their aid boat was intercepted en route to Gaza launched a hunger strike on Monday to protest their detention, according to a local NGO assisting them. At least five of the 21 passengers of the Freedom Flotilla vessel Handala have agreed to be summarily deported after the boat was stopped and boarded by the Israeli navy while attempting to break a military blockade of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. The legal aid group Adalah said that on Monday afternoon, 'hearings concluded at Givon Prison, concerning the continued detention of the 14 volunteers who... refused to consent to an expedited deportation process.' 'During the hearings, the volunteers stressed that their mission was humanitarian — motivated by the need to act against Israel's illegal siege and the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,' the group said in a statement. One US activist reported 'severe physical violence by Israeli forces,' while others described being held in poor conditions, Adalah said. 'The activists told the tribunal that they remain on an open hunger strike in protest of their unlawful detention,' it added. It later said the tribunal had 'upheld the continued detention of the 14 volunteers.' Israel has been treating their cases as immigration violations, which Adalah maintains is illegal, saying they were brought into the country against their will from international waters. The Handala's 21 passengers hailed from 10 countries, and included two French lawmakers and a pair of Al Jazeera journalists. Adalah said at least one of the lawmakers, the two journalists and two other passengers were already on their way out of the country. Two passengers who were Israeli-American dual nationals were released after being interrogated, according to the organization. A previous boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was also intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters on June 9. It carried 12 campaigners, including prominent Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The activists were eventually expelled by Israel.
