Italian Foreign Ministry calls for deportation of Gaza flotilla activists

Italy's Foreign Ministry has called on Israel to speed up the deportation process for Italian activists detained in Israel after they were intercepted as part of boats sailing in a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza.

At least four Italian parliamentarians travelling as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) have already been deported. More than 470 people — of various nationalities — were detained in total, Israeli police said.

On Saturday morning, the Italian Foreign Ministry said members of its embassy in Israel had visited the activists who are "well, even if they are tired by a month spent at sea and by the two days of profound stress coinciding with the military operation against the boats."

"The consular team reported that the detention conditions in the prison are particularly uncomfortable," a statement from the foreign ministry said. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has requested an inspection and improvement of detention conditions.

Italy is working to speed up the deportation process, which will be particularly fast "for those compatriots who have decided to sign the deportation order proposed by the Israeli authorities."

The flotilla's interception sparked protests around the world, including a one-day general strike in Italy that delayed hundreds of trains, several domestic flights and shuttered schools.

'Provocation'

The detentions come as the last boat of the GSF convoy, the Marienette, was intercepted by Israeli authorities on Friday.

The Marinette had been trailing behind the rest of the vessels and was still sailing on to the Palestinian territory in the early hours of Friday, a day after the Israeli navy stormed 41 other boats and detained the activists, saying they would be deported.

A livestream from the Marinette showed the moment Israeli troops boarded the vessel.

Israel's Foreign Ministry has called the flotilla's actions a "provocation" and argued that the flotilla was attempting to "enter an active combat zone" and breach a "lawful naval blockade."

The ministry said “all the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe.”

The activists have said the boats' interception was illegal and alleged they have been treated poorly by Israeli authorities.

Portuguese activist Mariana Mortágua allegedly sent a message to her family saying that she was held without food for 48 hours. According to local media, the Portuguese consul in Israel visited the four activists held and confirmed they were "'in good health, despite the difficult and harsh conditions upon arrival at the port of Ashdod and in the detention centre."

Three Polish citizens who were taking part in the flotilla have been offered an accelerated procedure to leave Israel and return to Poland. They reportedly refused to sign a declaration amounting to they voluntary expulsion from Israel.