Rome
\nAt least four Italian citizens have been deported from Israel after the Global Sumud Flotilla\u2019s boats were intercepted by Israeli authorities.
\nItaly\u2019s 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.
\nAt least four Italian parliamentarians travelling as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) have already been deported. More than 470 people \u2014 of various nationalities \u2014 were detained in total, Israeli police said.
\nOn Saturday morning, the Italian Foreign Ministry said members of its embassy in Israel had visited the activists who are \u201cwell, 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.\u201d
\n\u201cThe consular team reported that the detention conditions in the prison are particularly uncomfortable,\u201d a statement from the foreign ministry said. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has requested an inspection and improvement of detention conditions.
\nItaly is working to speed up the deportation process, which will be particularly fast \u201cfor those compatriots who have decided to sign the deportation order proposed by the Israeli authorities.\u201d
\nThe flotilla\u2019s 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.
\n\u2018Provocation\u2019
\nThe detentions come as the last boat of the GSF convoy, the Marienette, was intercepted by Israeli authorities on Friday.
\nThe 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.
\nA livestream from the Marinette showed the moment Israeli troops boarded the vessel.
\nIsrael\u2019s Foreign Ministry has called the flotilla\u2019s actions a \u201cprovocation\u201d and argued that the flotilla was attempting to \u201center an active combat zone\u201d and breach a \u201clawful naval blockade.\u201d
\nThe ministry said \u201call the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe.\u201d
\nThe activists have said the boats\u2019 interception was illegal and alleged they have been treated poorly by Israeli authorities.
\nPortuguese activist Mariana Mort\u00e1gua 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 \u201c\u2019in good health, despite the difficult and harsh conditions upon arrival at the port of Ashdod and in the detention centre.\u201d
\nThree 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rome At least four Italian citizens have been deported from Israel after the Global Sumud Flotilla\u2019s boats were intercepted by Israeli authorities. Italy\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":506812,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-506800","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n