Israel Moves to Deport Gaza-Bound Boat Activists via Ben Gurion Airport

Israel announced on Tuesday that the foreign activists onboard the intercepted “Selfie Yacht” — a humanitarian aid vessel attempting to reach Gaza — have been transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the development on social media, stating: “The passengers of the ‘Selfie Yacht’ arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.”

The yacht, which carried international peace activists and aid workers, was attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza, where conditions remain dire after months of continuous Israeli bombardment and blockade. Israel’s military intercepted the boat before it reached the besieged coastal enclave.

Refusal to Leave Could Lead to Legal Action

According to the Israeli authorities, any activist refusing to sign deportation documents will face legal proceedings. “Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority,” the ministry warned.

This stance has drawn criticism from human rights observers and international legal experts, who say peaceful activists delivering humanitarian aid should not be treated as criminals. However, Israel maintains that unauthorized sea voyages to Gaza pose security threats and violate its laws regarding the blockade.

Trump: “I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg”

Even Trump calls it a kidnapping, while mainstream media keeps defending the Israeli regime. https://t.co/o0pBiMOsvH pic.twitter.com/KDKrqr90a2

— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) June 9, 2025

Global Reaction Still Building

The interception of the aid boat and the pending deportations have sparked fresh outrage among pro-Palestinian activists and international civil society. Supporters of the activists claim the group was acting in solidarity with the people of Gaza, where access to food, water, and medical aid is severely limited.

Online, hashtags such as #FreeGaza and #LetAidThrough trended briefly after the news of the interception. This incident is the latest in a series of efforts by peace activists around the world who continue to defy Israel’s blockade in symbolic and practical attempts to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The “Selfie Yacht” is part of a broader campaign led by international volunteers and organizations that reject the blockade of Gaza and call for unrestricted humanitarian access. Similar flotillas in the past have also been intercepted by Israeli naval forces.

While the activists now face deportation, their mission has once again turned global attention to the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and raised questions about the legal and ethical implications of Israel’s enforcement of its blockade.