Italian activist Tommaso Bortolazzi, captain of the vessel Maria Cristin taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), converted to Islam while in Israeli detention. The flotilla, comprising around 44 ships and hundreds of activists from various countries, set sail from Barcelona on August 30 to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on the night of October 1, detaining several participants, including Bortolazzi, and deported some on October 4. Following his release, Bortolazzi spoke to reporters in Istanbul, explaining that the faith of his Turkish crewmates and his detention experience motivated his conversion. Videos shared online show him wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh as he described the moment he embraced Islam.
