170 Sumud Flotilla Activists Still Detained by Israel

More than 170 activists, including 15 Turkish citizens, remain detained in Israel after refusing to sign statements admitting they had “illegally entered” the country, according to reports from humanitarian flotilla organizers. The activists, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, were intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Activists Reject Israeli Authority Over Gaza

The detainees have refused to sign “deportation order” forms requiring them to acknowledge Israel’s jurisdiction and agree to voluntary removal. Activists argue that Israel has no sovereign authority over Gaza’s territorial waters and that they were forcibly abducted from international waters, making the claim of illegal entry “legally meaningless.”

Among those detained are Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, and Liam Cunningham, the Irish actor best known for his role in Game of Thrones. Both are reportedly being held for rejecting the deportation declaration.

“We Will Not Recognize Israel’s Authority”

The 15 detained Turkish nationals — including Abdülmecid Bağcıvan, Abdullah Gündem, Alparslan Arslan, and Sümeyye Sena Polat — have joined dozens of others in refusing to comply with the Israeli orders. “Israel has no jurisdiction over Gaza,” they said in a joint statement, “and we will not recognize the authority of a state that abducted us from international waters.”

Israeli officials have stated that activists who sign the deportation form are released within 72 hours, while those who refuse are transferred to detention centers such as Ramle and brought before immigration courts.

Hunger Strike Inside Israeli Prisons

According to flotilla organizers, 42 detainees have begun a hunger strike to protest their detention conditions. Among them is Sümeyye Sena Polat, one of the Turkish volunteers aboard the flotilla. Activists allege they have been held in cages, denied access to toilets and food, and subjected to mistreatment by security personnel — claims that have sparked outrage among international human rights groups.

European Politicians Join the Defiance

French MP Rima Hassan and European Parliament member Emma Fourreau also refused to sign the deportation forms, denouncing the Israeli actions as violations of international law. “These activists were taken from international waters against their will,” Hassan said, calling the deportation process “illegal and coercive.”

Human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Adalah condemned Israel’s actions, saying the detention constitutes a breach of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the freedom of navigation principle.

Legal Experts: “Operation Violates International Law”

International law experts have described Israel’s actions as a “jurisdictional overreach.” Under UNCLOS, Gaza’s maritime area is not under Israeli control, meaning Israel has no legal authority to detain vessels or individuals outside its territorial waters. Legal scholars say Israel is attempting to retroactively justify the detentions by forcing activists to sign false confessions.

The form presented to detainees reportedly states:

“I, [Name], admit that I entered Israel illegally and voluntarily accept deportation.”

Activists insist the statement is false because they never entered Israel voluntarily, but were forcibly transferred there after the flotilla’s interception.

Echoes of the 2010 Mavi Marmara Raid

Observers have drawn parallels between the Global Sumud Flotilla incident and the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, when Israeli forces killed 10 Turkish activists during a similar humanitarian mission to Gaza. In both cases, detainees were pressured to sign deportation papers and held in extended detention for refusing to comply.

Turkey Pursuing Diplomatic Efforts

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli confirmed that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the detained citizens.

“Of the Turkish citizens aboard the flotilla, 36 were returned safely on October 4 via a special flight,” Keçeli said on social media. “Efforts continue to bring back the remaining 14 through Jordan, and we expect progress within the day.”

Background: The Global Sumud Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail on October 1 to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and protest Israel’s blockade. The fleet, consisting of 42 vessels, was intercepted by Israeli forces before reaching Gazan waters. Hundreds of participants were detained and taken to the Ketziot Prison in southern Israel.

Human rights advocates warn that the ongoing detentions and the use of forced declarations represent a dangerous precedent in the criminalization of humanitarian aid and the suppression of international activism.