Dane Hunter, the first and only BVI national to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, was among hundreds of activists on vessels intercepted by the Israeli navy on Oct. 1–2, an operation that Israeli officials said would ended with passengers — including Greta Thunberg — being taken to Ashdod for deportation; the action drew criticism from Agnès Callamard of Amnesty International and Thameen Al-Kheetan, a United Nations spokesperson.
In a message sent Wednesday, Oct. 1, at about 6:32 p.m., and shared with supporters, Hunter wrote: “We’re expecting to be intercepted either tn or tomorrow. Military ship currently inbound from Ashdod. We’re approximately 160 nm from Gaza.”
An update posted around 1 p.m. Oct. 2 by Ilyssa Forman, who has been sharing information on Hunter’s status, said flotilla participants were “currently in custody and undergoing hearings about their detention and deportation orders,” and that “Adalah lawyers have since been allowed into Ashdod port and are beginning to conduct legal consultations.”
Reuters and other outlets reported that the convoy comprised more than 40 boats carrying hundreds of participants and was stopped in international waters; Israel said aid would be routed through official channels and that all passengers were “safe and healthy” while being processed for deportation.
Amnesty International called the interdictions “a brazen assault against solidarity activists carrying out an entirely peaceful humanitarian mission,” while the U.N. human rights office said Israel’s interception in international waters widens an “unlawful blockade” and urged respect for detainees’ rights and unhindered humanitarian relief.
No other BVI nationals had been publicly confirmed on board.
