Adalah’s lawyers – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel – met with 17 of the 21 activists detained aboard the Handala ship on Sunday evening. The meeting comes after Israeli forces raided the vessel in international waters in the early hours of the previous day, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).
The vessel had been 40 nautical miles off Gaza at the time of interception, en route to break the Israeli siege on the Strip since 2007.
According to a statement by the FFC, Adalah’s legal team met with the crew at either Ashdod port or Israeli police facilities, finding all activists in relatively stable condition, despite their having launched an open-ended hunger strike after the ship was seized.
“Israel is handling the custody of the volunteers as though they had entered the country illegally,” the statement read, “even though they were forcibly taken from international waters and brought into Israel against their will.”
According to the statement, Israeli authorities presented the crew with two options: either agree to “voluntary deportation” or remain in custody and appear before a tribunal to have their continued detention pending deportation reviewed.
Italian national Antonio Mazzeo, French MP Gabriel Cathala, and Jewish-American activist Jacob Berger have reportedly agreed to deportation. Meanwhile, at least 13 other activists continue to be held after refusing the offer.
“Huwaida Arraf and Bob Suberi, both dual US–Israeli nationals, were interrogated by Israeli police, released from custody, and are now with Adalah’s legal team,” the coalition said.
Adalah did not meet with Ange Sahuquet (France), Dr. Frank Romano (United States–France), Al Jazeera reporter and cameraman Mohamed El Bakkali (Morocco), and Waad Al Musa (US–Iraq), who are represented by private counsel.
Handala initially sailed off the coast of Syracuse, southern Italy, on July 13 in a renewed attempt to challenge Israel’s “illegal, deadly blockade” of Gaza. It was carrying life-saving supplies, including baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine, according to the FFC.
Prior to the raid, activists aboard Handala had attempted to communicate with the Israeli navy, which had previously warned them against approaching Gaza.
In response to these Israeli threats, the crew altered course toward Egypt, requesting emergency entry to Al-Arish port, according to Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed El Bakkali, who was aboard the ship. However, Egyptian authorities did not respond, forcing the ship to turn back toward its original route before its eventual seizure.
The 21 passengers aboard the vessel represent a diverse coalition of lawmakers, lawyers, journalists, unionists, environmentalists, and human rights advocates from 12 countries.
According to FFC, the incident marked Israel’s third attack on Freedom Flotilla Coalition missions this year.
Just last month, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla vessel Madleen, detaining 12 civilians who were attempting to deliver medical supplies and messages of solidarity to Gaza. The ship had departed from Sicily, Italy, on June 1. Israeli forces arrested the activists on board and later deported them.
Previously speaking to Al Manassa, Zaher Birawi, head of the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza disclosed that the Madleen is still being held by Israeli authorities.
“The owners have previously filed legal complaints against Israel in British and Spanish courts, and we are exploring new legal avenues now,” he said.
A month before intercepting the Madleen, Israel reportedly used drones to strike another Freedom Flotilla vessel, the Conscience, which was sailing near Malta en route to Gaza.
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the Handala,” said Ann Wright, a member of the Flotilla’s steering committee. “This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction. These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.”
The 55-foot diesel-powered vessel, originally a Norwegian fishing boat named ‘Navarn’ and built in 1968, was acquired by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) in 2023 and renamed ‘Handala’.
This name pays tribute to the iconic barefoot refugee child created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al-Ali, who has become a powerful symbol of Palestinian resistance.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition emerged in 2010 following Turkish-led efforts to challenge the Gaza blockade. Its founding organizations include the Free Gaza Movement and the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza.
The most prominent mission to date remains the 2010 sailing of the Mavi Marmara, which was raided by Israeli forces, leaving 10 activists dead and dozens wounded.
