Adalah is an Israeli non-sectarian legal center run by Palestinians, June 14, 15 2025
Israel’s “voluntary emigration” policy from the Gaza Strip constitutes the forced transfer of the civilian population – a war crime and crime against humanity
Four Israel-based human rights organizations warn Israel’s Defense Minister, Attorney General, and Military Advocate General that Israel’s “voluntary emigration” policy from the Gaza Strip constitutes the forced transfer of the civilian population – a war crime and crime against humanity
Israel-based human rights organizations – Gisha, Adalah, The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, and HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual – addressed Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, and Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, demanding the immediate cancellation of the Security Cabinet decision from March 23, 2025, concerning “preparation for the possibility of voluntary departure of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to third countries.” Following this decision, a “Voluntary Emigration Administration” was established within the Defense Ministry. The organizations demand that Israeli authorities not interfere with the freedom of movement of Gaza residents and refrain from imposing restrictions on their right to return to the Strip at any time and without conditions. The letter was written by Attorney Suhad Bishara of Adalah and Attorney Osnat Cohen-Lifshitz of Gisha.
The letter noted that statements by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reveal an intention to promote and implement transfer from the Gaza Strip under the guise of “voluntary emigration.” It was recently reported that Israel is using intelligence information to send messages to Gaza residents, calling on them to contact a representative to coordinate their departure. Although the plan is presented as one that fulfills residents’ wishes, the organizations warn that in practice the move is intended “to expel Gaza residents to third countries without the possibility of returning to their homeland in the future.”
The organizations outlined the extremely dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has created conditions that undermine the possibility of sustaining life. These conditions are the product of a deliberate policy aimed at encouraging – and in practice forcing – transfer. The organizations warned that Israel is conducting extensive attacks against civilians: “Israel tramples on the principles of distinction and precaution and does not hesitate to kill entire families, wherever they may be.” The systematic policy to destroy the means of food production within the Strip and severe restrictions on entry of aid have led to a situation where “the entire population – approximately 2.1 million people – faces serious risk of starvation (…). Half a million people (or one in five) face hunger,” and “approximately 71,000 children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in the coming year.” The letter notes that “due to the intensification of fighting, isolation from the outside world, direct bombing of medical facilities, and severe shortage of fuel, medical equipment, food and water,” the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that it is approaching the point of no return. It was further noted that hundreds of thousands of people continue to be displaced under Israeli military orders, reducing the area permitted for residents to stay in the Strip: “Since Israel renewed its attack on the Strip on March 18, 2025, approximately 632,700 people (29% of the population) have been displaced again, and many of them fleeing without their personal belongings.”
The organizations emphasized that under these circumstances “any ‘encouragement’ and intervention by the State of Israel in the departure of Palestinians will be considered forced transfer under international law. Genuine ‘consent’ under these conditions simply does not exist, especially when Israel does not commit to allowing every Palestinian resident to return to their home at any time they wish without conditions. Therefore, the decision in question constitutes explicit planning for mass transfer of civilians and ethnic cleansing, while violating international law, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Additionally, it was stressed that “Israel bears full legal responsibility as a party to hostilities and occupying power in the Strip. Violation of the law, with other countries does not reduce the severity of the crimes against protected residents.”
The only way to bring about change to this cruel reality that Israel has created in the Strip is by ending the war, removing restrictions on the movement of goods and humanitarian aid, and protecting civilians wherever they are. Following their demand to immediately cancel the illegal cabinet decision, the organizations warned that “the State of Israel must allow Gaza Strip residents full freedom of movement and must not prevent them from leaving the territory as they wish, without Israel’s intervention. In addition, the right of Palestinians who leave to return home to the Strip at any time and without conditions is an absolute right.”
To read the press release on Adalah’s website >> https://www.adalah.org/en/content/view/11288
Many have been released by now but Israel detained the crew of the Madleen; it’s allies in Libya and Egypt have blocked, detained and deported most of the activists attempting to bring aid into Gaza.
Six Freedom Flotilla Volunteers En Route to Airport for Deportation; Two Remain in Israeli Custody
After more than 72 hours in Israeli custody following the unlawful interception of the Madleen Freedom Flotilla in international waters on Sunday night 8 June, Israeli immigration authorities informed Adalah’s lawyers that six volunteers are now being transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation.
The six volunteers expected to be deported today or early tomorrow morning are: Mark van Rennes (The Netherlands), Suayb Ordu (Turkey), Yasemin Acar (Germany), Thiago Avila (Brazil), Reva Viard (France), and Rima Hassan (France). So far, Adalah lawyers are facing difficulties visiting them at the airport.
Two other volunteers, Pascal Maurieras (France) and Yanis Mhamdi (France), remain in custody at Givon Prison, under the authority of the Israel Prison Service, awaiting their deportation tomorrow, 13 June, afternoon. They will be seen by their lawyers today.
While in custody, volunteers were subjected to mistreatment, punitive measures, and aggressive treatment, and two volunteers were held for some period of time in solitary confinement. Adalah protested this inhumane treatment to the Israeli authorities and demanded that it cease.
Adalah calls for the immediate release of all eight volunteers and for their safe passage to their home countries. Their continued detention and forced deportation are unlawful and a part of Israel’s ongoing violations of international law.
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Lawyers have not been able to visit the three detained Freedom Flotilla volunteers — Marco van Rennes, Pascal Maurieras, and Yanis Mhamdi — due to the ongoing shutdown following the escalation between Israel and Iran.
A lawyer from the Human Rights Defenders Fund, coordinating with Adalah, was able to speak with the detainees by phone earlier today. According to the call, the volunteers are in reasonable condition given the current circumstances.
Given the ongoing state of emergency, Adalah is reviewing legal options should restrictions persist — including the possibility of release on bail or house arrest.
Adalah Update – 14 June 2025, 12:30 PM Jerusalem Time
Three Freedom Flotilla Volunteers Still Detained; Adalah Demands Immediate Release and Departure via Jordan
Three Freedom Flotilla Volunteers Still Detained; Adalah Demands Immediate Release and Departure via Jordan
The three detained Freedom Flotilla volunteers — Marco van Rennes, Pascal Maurieras, and journalist Yanis Mhamdi — remain in Israeli custody in the Gvion Prison.
Adalah has just issued an urgent letter to Israeli authorities requesting that the volunteers be permitted to exit the country via Jordan, to return to their home countries. This request follows reports that flights have resumed from Amman earlier today. Their continued detention is unlawful and a part of Israel’s ongoing violations of international law.
Adalah Update – 15 June 2025, 18:00 Jerusalem Time
Detained Freedom Flotilla Volunteers to Be Released Tomorrow and Return Home via Jordan
The three detained Freedom Flotilla volunteers — Marco van Rennes, Pascal Maurieras, and Yanis Mhamdi — will be released from Israeli custody tomorrow morning, 16 June, and will return to their home countries via the Jordanian border.
Their respective embassies will be awaiting their arrival on the Jordanian side of the border to facilitate their return.
#CAIRO—-Latest update from this AM from the Intl Security Group:
Regarding #MarchToGaza
Update on detained participants from information shared to date:
-20 French delegates arrested, interrogated and luggage searched.
-2 Dutch delegates deported, 20 detained in airport.
– 70 Algerian delegates detained for over 24 hours in Cairo airport,40 deported and others still held
– 10 Delegated from Norway deported. Egyptian authorities went to the hotel where 2 Norwiegen delegates are staying, and no communication has been established with them since.
– 26 Spanish delegates arrested and detained
– 1 Swedish delegate arrested and detained.
– 1 Finnish delegate with unconfirmed welfare status
-12 Morroccans delegates deported
– 6 German delegates deported
-2 Belgium delegates deported
-30 Greeks under interrogation in airports
– 1 US Delegate detained and interrogated at hotel, then placed on a bus for deportation.
– 14 Polish delegates arrested
– 5 Portugese delegates deported
– 25 From Holland detained
– 2 Costa Rican delegates deported, no communication in the last 4 hours
– 1 UK delegated deported
– 2 Australians detained, and another lost communication
Here is a list of the organizations that have representatives: https://marchtogaza.net/
** The Summoud Convoy of a couple thousand people heading to Gaza from Tunisia along the coast of Africa was stopped by Libyan authorities around Sirte on the 14th despite a warm welcome by the local people.
*Featured Image: Summoud Convoy receives warm welcome in Libya