Detained Kiwi deported from Israel

Nicola Enchmarch. Photo / Supplied

The New Zealand woman detained in Israel after a raid on an aid flotilla headed for Gaza has been released overnight.

Nicola Enchmarch, who was with the aid organisation Viva Palestina, was among the hundreds of activists deported from Israel yesterday.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said Ms Enchmarch had been due to leave for Istanbul in Turkey about 6pm local time (3am NZT).

She would be met by a consular officer from the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara.

It was not yet known where she planned to go from Turkey.

Ms Enchmarch had "been through a hell of a lot", a Viva Palestina spokeswoman told nzherald.co.nz from Britain this morning.

She was safe and well but in need of rest, the spokeswoman said. "She's had a tough time. She's been through a hell of a lot."

Ms Enchmarch's immediate plans were uncertain, the spokeswoman said.

New Zealand's Honorary Consul in Israel visited Ms Enchmarch in Israel yesterday and reported she was being treated well and was in good health.

The family, in a statement, asked for privacy and said they would not comment further.

At least nine activists were killed when Israeli marines stormed a Turkish ship as a flotilla moved to breach the blockade to supply aid to residents in Gaza on Monday. Others, including Ms Enchmarch, were captured and detained in Israeli custody.

While Israel claims its commandos were attacked first, the flotilla's organisers maintain the Israeli forces simply opened fire.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully met with Israeli Ambassador Shemi Tzur on Tuesday to convey the government's concern, including its support of an international investigation.

He was reluctant to make accusations about the clash until there were more answers.

The Israeli Embassy in Wellington said it was regrettable that lives were lost, but maintained the blame lay with those who tried to violate the blockade.

The Israeli government announced the deportations yesterday amid mounting international pressure against its actions.

Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said none of the activists would be prosecuted, writing in an order that "keeping them here would do more damage to the country's vital interests than good".

- NZPA