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.
