Dozens of passengers from the Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israel this week are facing deportation and detention proceedings without legal representation, according to the Adalah legal center.
The group reported Thursday that hearings for detainees at Ashdod began without prior notice to their lawyers and without allowing access to legal counsel.
“This constitutes a grave violation of due process and participants’ fundamental rights,” Adalah said, vowing to take further legal action.
Israel intercepted at least 21 flotilla boats in recent days, detaining more than 400 participants from over 40 countries. Many were transferred to the MSC Johannesburg before being brought ashore for processing. Among those detained are prominent figures including climate activist Greta Thunberg, South African politician Mandla Mandela, and Spanish lawmaker Ada Colau.
Israel insists the flotilla was attempting to breach a lawful naval blockade and has described it as a “provocation” rather than a humanitarian effort. Officials say all detainees are in “good health” and will be deported to their home countries.
Flotilla organisers, however, describe the raid as “illegal abduction.” They claim passengers were assaulted with water cannons, sprayed with skunk water, and had their communications jammed before being forcibly removed from their ships.
Rights groups have condemned the actions. Amnesty International called the seizures “a brazen assault against solidarity activists” while Qatar demanded an immediate investigation into what it said was a “flagrant violation of international law.”
As of Friday, four flotilla vessels remain unseized, including the Marinette, still en route to Gaza.
Organisers say they remain determined to challenge Israel’s blockade, calling interception of humanitarian aid in international waters a “war crime.”
