Swiss Gaza Flotilla Activists Face Bills for Consular Assistance

Geneva – Swiss citizens who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla, and were subsequently detained by Israeli authorities, are now receiving invoices from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) for consular services provided during their detention and repatriation.

The FDFA is charging an average of 510 Swiss francs (approximately $575 USD) per person to cover interventions with Israeli authorities, prison visits, and assistance with the return journey to Switzerland. The move has sparked outrage among the activists, who argue that their detention was unlawful and that the charges are a further injustice.

A Contentious Journey

The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprised of several ships carrying humanitarian aid and activists, attempted to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza in early October. The vessels were intercepted by the Israeli Navy, and hundreds of participants, including 19 Swiss nationals, were arrested.

The Swiss FDFA immediately dispatched consular staff to Ketziot Prison, located approximately two and a half hours from Tel Aviv, to provide support to the detained Swiss citizens. All 19 were eventually released and returned to Switzerland.

“An Outrage”

“It’s a disgrace,” one Geneva-based activist posted on social media, directly addressing Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. “I was illegally detained, mistreated, humiliated, dehumanized, and deprived of my fundamental rights. And now you send me a bill?”

Several activists have also voiced concerns about the timing of the invoices, noting that a Turkish government-chartered flight assisted in the repatriation of some participants, and they wish Switzerland had offered similar direct support.

Legal Justification

The FDFA defends its decision to issue the invoices, citing the Swiss Foreign Nationals Act. According to the FDFA, individuals are responsible for covering the costs of consular assistance, particularly when they have acted “negligently” in the context of the law. The FDFA had previously advised against travel to the Gaza Strip.

The FDFA stated that the costs are calculated individually based on the length of time each person was detained, with the average charge being 510 francs. The department acknowledges that the actual costs incurred were significantly higher.

Broader Implications

This incident highlights the complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding humanitarian missions to conflict zones. The Israeli blockade of Gaza, maintained since 2007, has severely restricted the movement of people and goods, leading to a dire humanitarian situation for the territory’s 2.3 million residents. According to the United Nations, over 80% of Gaza’s population relies on humanitarian assistance.

The Global Sumud Flotilla aimed to draw attention to this crisis and challenge the blockade. The activists’ subsequent detention and the FDFA’s billing practices have ignited a debate about the responsibilities of governments towards their citizens involved in such endeavors, and the limits of consular support in politically sensitive situations.

Alexandra Aregger is a reporter for the Reportage & Storytelling department. Her work focuses on socio-political issues.

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