(MENAFN) A group of Dutch campaigners shared their experiences of harsh treatment and rights violations by Israeli authorities following their arrest while taking part in a humanitarian flotilla aimed at protesting the "illegal blockade" on the Gaza Strip.

Four Dutch participants returned to the Netherlands, landing at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport after traveling through Spain.


Their repatriation was facilitated by the Dutch embassy in Madrid.
Speaking at the airport, activist Roos Ykema recounted the dramatic encounter: “On Thursday morning, we were kidnapped by Israeli soldiers. They entered our boats while we were in international waters, trying to break the illegal blockade to reach Gaza and establish a unitarian border.”

According to Ykema, four armed personnel came aboard their vessel, ordered them to sit at the front, and subsequently transported them to Israel, where they were held in detention.

Ykema further described the conditions of their confinement: “They left us in the sun. They left us without food and water. They refused (to provide) medication. Some people were beaten up and now we are the first ones, some of the first ones, that were deported from Israel back to the Netherlands.”

Despite the ordeal, Ykema expressed determination to continue the cause, stating: “I wish that we had broken the siege, but I am sure that we will keep on pushing and more boats will go and Palestine will be free.”

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