Dutch Gaza flotilla activists arrive in Amsterdam, alleging abuse in Israeli custody
Two groups of Dutch participants from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla arrived at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Friday evening after Israeli forces intercepted their vessels in international waters and deported them via Turkey. The activists allege they were denied food and water, forced to kneel for hours, and held in painful handcuffs. The Dutch flotilla delegation spokesperson had previously said participants were allegedly beaten after being taken into custody.
Three Dutch activists landed at Schiphol in the evening after Israel expelled them to Turkey. Earlier the same day, BNNVARA journalist Gijs Sanders and his cameraman also arrived in Amsterdam after covering the flotilla voyage. De Marker, the journalism platform involved, said the two were “doing well under the circumstances” and that its “first concern now is follow-up care for the journalists.”
A sixth Dutch participant missed the connecting flight and was expected to return to the Netherlands later that evening.
Activist Jesse van Schaik, 21, described injuries and harsh restraint conditions, saying some detainees had broken ribs and one person had two teeth knocked out. She said her hands were handcuffed for 16 hours in a way that caused severe pain. “They were so tight that I felt it cutting into my wrists,” she told NOS. “You are treated like animals, and you know Palestinians are treated worse.”
Pieter Rambags, another one of the returning activists, said detainees experienced severe abuse. “We experienced horrific things,” he told NOS, adding that everyone on his vessel was allegedly mistreated and that about 60 people were forced to sleep in a container. The Global Sumud Flotilla organization has reported at least 15 cases of alleged sexual violence, including rape.
The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid toward Gaza, departed Barcelona on April 12. Earlier this week, Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in international waters and took the participants to Ashdod, an act the activists and multiple legal observers have described as illegal under international law.
After detention in Israel, the activists were deported to Turkey and then flown onward to the Netherlands. Turkish media reported that 53 participants from the Global Sumud Flotilla were taken to a hospital in Istanbul, while 353 others were brought to a forensic institute for examination.
A video published on social media by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showed his visit to detained activists and drew criticism. In one clip, a woman with tied hands is seen being forced to the ground after shouting, "Free, free Palestine.”
Several countries, including the Netherlands, have condemned Israel’s treatment of the activists and summoned Israeli ambassadors for consultations.
