Israel says that the Pro-Palestinian activists who Saturday tried to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip have been transferred to Ben Gurion international airport for deportation Sunday.
The 11 activists attempted to break the blockade and deliver aid to Gaza five days after the flotilla it had planned to join was stormed by Israeli forces, resulting in nine activists being shot.
The expulsion of the 11 activists and eight crew from the Rachel Corrie aid ship, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire, has been delayed by their "refusal to sign a waiver of an appeal against such a measure before Israeli courts," said an Israeli immigration service spokeswoman.
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"We are trying to convince all of the passengers and members of the crew to sign the document. Otherwise, in accordance with the law, they risk having to wait up to 72 hours for a judge to decide their fate," she added.
Israeli forces intercepted and seized control of the Rachel Corrie on Saturday as it tried to reach the Gaza Strip, without the use of force as on Monday the nine Turks were killed commandos stormed an aid flotilla.
The Irish-owned 1,200-tonne vessel was escorted into the southern Israeli port of Ashdod, and the activists - five Irish nationals and six Malaysians - and crew were taken to the Holon immigration centre near Tel Aviv for questioning.
Israeli officials say they plan to deport the activists as soon as possible.
