World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Italy seeks release of five women detained in the West Bank
Israeli forces detained five Italian women in the West Bank on Thursday.
They were among foreign activists accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest near Hebron.
Italy's foreign minister called for their immediate release, saying they had committed no crime.
Israeli police said some of the detained activists were suspected of promoting terrorism and entering a closed military zone without coordination.
Italy's foreign ministry said the women would return Saturday, while Israeli authorities had earlier told Italian diplomats they were expected to face expulsion and repatriation procedures.
The detention has drawn attention to tensions around Palestinian farming communities and the presence of international activists during the harvest.
Italy sought the release of five Italian women detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank.
The women were released and repatriated on Saturday morning, according to Italy’s foreign ministry.
They had been detained on Thursday while accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called the arrests unacceptable and said the women had committed no crime.
Israeli police said some detained activists had violated the law and entered a closed military zone without coordination.
- Who
- Five Italian women activists were detained by Israeli forces.
- What
- Italy sought their release; they were later released and repatriated.
- When
- They were detained on Thursday and returned to Italy on Saturday morning.
- Where
- In the West Bank. Reports placed the detention near Hebron and in Kiryat Arba.
- Why
- They were accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest. Israeli police said activists had violated the law and entered a closed military zone without coordination.
Italian government
Israeli police
Reason for detention
Italian government
Tajani said the women were not committing any crime.
Israeli police
Police said the activists violated the law and entered a closed military zone without coordination.
Assessment of the activists
Italian government
Tajani called the arrests unacceptable and sought their immediate release.
Israeli police
Police said some detainees were involved in promoting terrorism or activities by groups hostile to Israel.
Israeli forces detained the five women while they were accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest.
Italian embassy officials visited the women at the airport and said they appeared to be in good physical condition.
The five women were released and repatriated, Italy’s foreign ministry said.
- Number detained
- Five Italian women
- Detention site
- West Bank; reports cited Kiryat Arba and the area near Hebron
- Activity
- Accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest
- Release
- Saturday morning
- Italian official
- Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister and foreign minister
4 sources
Five Italian activists held in West Bank have been repatriated, Italy’s Foreign Ministry says
Five Italian activists held in West Bank have been repatriated, ministry says
Cisgiordania, Tajani: “Inaccettabile l’arresto delle 5 donne prese dall’esercito israeliano”. Previsto il rientro sabato
What people are saying
We ask for the immediate release of the 5 women who were taken by the Israeli army
It is unacceptable what happened; they were not committing any crime.
The activists violated the law and hid behind the olive harvest.