Sixteen Irish Citizens Released After Detention by Israel’s Forces

Sixteen Irish citizens, detained by Israeli forces during the interception of the global sumud flotilla, have been released and are currently en route back to Ireland. The announcement was made by Simon Harris, the Tánaiste, who confirmed that the individuals are “on their journey home.” The detentions have raised serious concerns regarding the treatment of those held in Israeli custody, with reports of “aggressive treatment and violence” emerging from some detainees.

The Irish nationals were among a larger group of activists attempting to breach a 17-year naval blockade on Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. They were taken to Ktzi’ot Prison, a facility primarily used for Palestinians, located in the Negev desert. Lawyers from Adalah, a legal center that defends Palestinian rights, have been in contact with ten of the sixteen detainees, who shared details about their conditions while in custody.

According to reports from these detainees, they experienced various forms of mistreatment. Miriam Azem, a representative from Adalah, stated that some individuals reported being kicked while trying to sleep and others described being tied with cables for hours. She noted, “We’ve seen microaggressions… aggressive treatment and violence,” emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations while keeping the identities of the affected individuals private.

Israel’s foreign ministry has responded to these claims, asserting that all detainees are “safe and in good health” and that deportations are being processed swiftly. In total, Adalah lawyers have managed to meet with 331 participants of the flotilla out of more than 400 detained, highlighting the scale of the operation by Israeli authorities.

The situation has been echoed by other activists from different nations, including Switzerland and Spain. Reports from the Swiss participants indicate that they endured inhumane conditions during their detention, with allegations of sleep deprivation, insufficient access to food and water, as well as physical abuse. Rafael Borrego, a lawyer representing Spanish activists, detailed similar mistreatment, stating, “They beat us, dragged us along the ground, blindfolded us, tied our hands and feet, put us in cages and insulted us.”

In a broader context, Yariv Levin, Israel’s Minister of Justice, confirmed that 170 flotilla activists have already been deported, with plans to expel an additional 200 from the 309 still in custody. Activists from various countries continue to share their experiences, with some alleging that their legal rights were not upheld during the process.

Noteworthy among the reports was the claim involving climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who was allegedly forced to wear an Israeli flag during her detention. The Israeli foreign ministry has denied all allegations of mistreatment, calling them “complete lies,” and maintained that all detainees had access to essential needs and legal counsel.

A Spanish detainee reportedly bit a medical worker at Ktzi’ot Prison during a routine examination, resulting in minor injuries. The Swiss embassy has confirmed that the ten Swiss nationals still being held are in relatively good health, and efforts are being made to facilitate their prompt return.

As more activists are expected to be released soon, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, raising questions about the treatment of detainees and the ongoing humanitarian crisis surrounding Gaza.