Israel transfers Madeleine activists to Ben Gurion Airport in preparation for deportation

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Israeli authorities transported the activists on board the Madeleine to Ben Gurion Airport, pending their deportation to their home countries. This happened hours after the Israeli Navy seized the ship and took it to the port of Ashdod.

The ship, carrying humanitarian aid and 12 volunteers as part of the Freedom Flotilla, attempted to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip, but Israeli naval commandos and the Snapir unit intercepted it while sailing in international waters, forcibly boarded it, and then began towing it to the port of Ashdod, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that some activists refused to sign legal pledges guaranteeing voluntary deportation, stressing that anyone who refuses will be brought before a judge to decide on their deportation.

The ministry added in a statement that the activists refused to watch a film shown to them, which purportedly documented what it described as "atrocities committed against Jews and Israelis," and described them as "anti-Semitic activists."

Meanwhile, Israeli media outlets quoted Israeli officials as saying that the activists will be detained in a special facility before being deported, while Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper confirmed that the crew will be interrogated and investigated upon the ship's arrival at port.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that eight Madeleine activists, including European Parliament member Rima Hassan, refused to sign their deportation documents.

In the same context, the human rights organization Adalah reported that the ship and its crew remained at sea for hours, while the Israeli navy continued to forcibly tow it to the port of Ashdod.

In a security measure, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir instructed the Prison Service to prevent the entry of any communication devices or media equipment into cells where activists may be detained.

For his part, Israeli government spokesman David Mincer stated that the ship's seizure proceeded "smoothly and without injuries," noting that authorities would work to ensure the activists' return to their countries and families as soon as possible.