Dutch Activists Detail Abuse in Israeli Detention Following Gaza Flotilla Raid

A group of Dutch activists has returned home, alleging systematic abuse and harsh treatment during their detention by Israeli authorities after the interception of an international aid flotilla bound for Gaza. The activists, who arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport via Spain with consular assistance, provided a disturbing account of their ordeal to waiting reporters.

*Allegations of Systematic Neglect*

Roos Ykema, one of the returnees, stated that Israeli forces boarded their vessel in international waters. She detailed conditions of detention that included prolonged exposure to the sun and a denial of basic necessities. "We were left without food and water. They refused to provide medication, and some people were beaten," Ykema recounted. She affirmed their commitment to the cause, stating, "I am sure that we will keep on pushing, and more boats will go."

*Accounts of Racist and Harsh Treatment*

Another activist, Mohamed Abo Naser, supported these claims, describing the treatment of participants in the "Global Sumud Flotilla" as excessively harsh. He reported that detainees were denied water for the first two days and received insufficient food. Access to legal counsel or embassy contact was forbidden. Critically, he stated that urgent medical requests, including for insulin, were ignored, putting lives at risk. Abo Naser further alleged discriminatory practices, noting that people of color and those with Muslim or Arab backgrounds were singled out for worse treatment.

*A Vow to Continue Challenges*

The activists also described being transported in severe conditions, including in cramped buses where temperatures were manipulated to extreme levels and their vision was restricted. Despite the reported mistreatment, their resolve appears strengthened. Abo Naser delivered a direct message to the Israeli government: "We are coming back with more ships, with more people, and we will not get enough from breaking the siege." This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the maritime blockade of Gaza and sets the stage for future confrontations.