Israeli forces brought Handala, the latest aid flotilla to attempt to breach the IDF blockade of the Gaza Strip, into the port of Ashdod on Sunday, after seizing the vessel in international waters and detaining the crew.

Activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition had attempted to breach the naval blockade and bring a small quantity of humanitarian aid to the territory’s Palestinian residents, but were intercepted late Saturday and taken to Israel.

The Israeli legal rights group Adalah told AFP Sunday that its lawyers were in Ashdod and had demanded to speak to the 21-member international crew, among whom were two French parliamentarians and two Al Jazeera journalists.

“After 12 hours at sea, following the unlawful interception of the Handala, Israeli authorities confirmed the vessel’s arrival at Ashdod port,” said the group, which campaigns for the rights of Israel’s Arab population.

“The activists aboard the Handala were part of a peaceful civilian mission to break through Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza,” it said.

“The flotilla never entered Israeli territorial waters, nor was it intended to do so; it was headed toward the territorial waters of the State of Palestine, as recognized under international law,” Adalah added. “Israel has no legal jurisdiction or authority over the international waters in which the vessel was sailing.”

After several hours of campaigning, Adalah said Sunday afternoon that Israeli authorities allowed lawyers to meet with the detained activists.

“Following persistent demands, Adalah’s lawyers are now meeting with 19 of the detained volunteers at Ashdod Port to provide legal consultation,” the group said. “The remaining two activists, Bob Suberi and Huwaida Arraf, both dual Israeli and US citizens, have been transferred to the police, where an Adalah lawyer is also present to provide legal support.”

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry said the Navy stopped the Handala to........

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