World

Israel deports 37 French nationals on Gaza flotilla to Turkey, France says

By Reuters Reuters

Updated May 21, 2026 8:13 AM

Activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in international waters in the Mediterranean, pose upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, Turkey, May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Murad Sezer — Activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in international waters in the Mediterranean, pose upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, Turkey, May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Murad Sezer Murad Sezer Reuters

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PARIS - Israeli authorities are currently deporting 37 French nationals who were part of the group of activists on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to Turkey, France's Foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in a weekly news briefing, Pascal Confavreux said a senior Israeli diplomat had been summoned by the ministry earlier on Thursday to express Paris' anger in response to a video released by Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in which the minister is seen taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists.

Confavreux added that it was too early for now to talk about imposing sanctions on Ben Gvir after an earlier call by Italy's foreign minister to do so.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

An injured French activist from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in international waters in the Mediterranean, looks on upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, Turkey, May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Murad Sezer — An injured French activist from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in international waters in the Mediterranean, looks on upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, Turkey, May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Murad Sezer Murad Sezer Reuters

Israeli soldiers are seen on a vessel bearing symbols of the Global Sumud Flotilla, as it is brought into the port in Ashdod, southern Israel, May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Amir Cohen — Israeli soldiers are seen on a vessel bearing symbols of the Global Sumud Flotilla, as it is brought into the port in Ashdod, southern Israel, May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Amir Cohen Amir Cohen Reuters

A Moroccan activist from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in international waters in the Mediterranean, gestures with an Irish activist upon their arrival at Istanbul Airport, Turkey, May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Murad Sezer — A Moroccan activist from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in international waters in the Mediterranean, gestures with an Irish activist upon their arrival at Istanbul Airport, Turkey, May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Murad Sezer Murad Sezer Reuters

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 7:58 AM.