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He said others on board were also treated violently. In detention, prison guards assaulted some of their members.
"All political incarceration is unjust, but let me stress that in duration and conditions, our situation pales in comparison to the plight of thousands of Palestinian political prisoners and to the open air prison of Gaza. We must get Tahrir back and hope Freedom Waves continue."
Israel demanded he and other participants sign voluntary deportation waivers. Most refused. They were kidnapped in international waters. Document language claimed they lawlessly entered Israel and won't again try to breach Gaza's siege.
About 30 European, Canadian and Israeli activists were on board Estelle. They included five European parliamentarians and a former Canadian one.
Canadian Jim Manly said Estelle's only dangerous cargo was "hope." Former IDF pilot Yonatan Shapira participated. On active duty, he refused to bomb Palestinian cities. He became a conscientious objector.
In 2003, he and 26 other Israeli combat pilots signed a "pilots' letter." They refused to participate in missions over Occupied Palestine.
Yonatan also supports the global BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement. It urges isolating Israel politically, economically, and culturally until it complies with international law and recognizes Palestinian rights.
In 2011, Yonatan participated in another Gaza humanitarian mission. Israeli commandos forcibly seized him and others. They were arrested and detained. Yonatan wasn't criminally charged.
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