French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that French diplomats visited six French activists on board the Madeleine in Israel, and that one of the activists agreed to be deported on Tuesday.
"One of our citizens chose to sign the Israeli form accepting his deportation," the minister said in a statement. "He is expected to return to France today (Tuesday). The other five have refused and will be deported after a court ruling is issued in the coming days."
Barrot confirmed on Tuesday that "the French diplomatic and consular team in Tel Aviv will remain in contact with our citizens, as permitted by consular protection, to ascertain their status until their return to France," noting that "their relatives were contacted immediately after the consular visits, that is, after 3:00 a.m."
The minister did not reveal the identity of the citizen to be deported. Among the figures on board the ship were French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, a left-wing activist, and Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, whose ship was intercepted by Israel on Monday morning, is an international movement in support of Palestinians, combining humanitarian aid with political protest against the blockade of Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Monday that France "has conveyed all messages to Israel to ensure the protection of its citizens and their ability to return to French territory," describing the Israeli blockade and the denial of aid to Gaza as "scandalous and shameful."
Tens of thousands of people gathered across France on Monday evening in support of these activists, at the call of the left.
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