Who is Sumud activist Sena Polat, where is she originally from, and why was she detained? She went on a hunger strike.

Published: October 7, 2025, 09:55

The question of who Sumud activist Sena Polat is has been on the agenda of both Turkey and the international community recently. Turkish activist Sena Polat, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestine, was detained by Israeli forces. Polat, who was not released because she refused to sign a document stating, "I entered Israel without permission and I agree to be deported," reportedly went on a hunger strike in Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert. So, who is Sena Polat, where is she originally from, and why was she detained? Here are all the details...

Sena Polat is one of the Sumud Flotilla volunteers detained by Israeli forces. According to reports, the humanitarian aid flotilla Polat was aboard was intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters. Among the activists on the flotilla were numerous Turkish citizens.

Israeli authorities demanded that Sena Polat sign a document stating that she had "entered Israel without permission and agreed to be deported." However, Polat refused to sign the document and was not released. It was announced that she had gone on a hunger strike in protest against her detention conditions.

Sena Polat is the daughter of former AKP Istanbul MP ​​İffet Polat. Her family confirmed that diplomatic efforts were underway to secure the young activist's release.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestine to protest the embargo on Gaza and deliver aid to the local people, was intercepted and seized by the Israeli navy in international waters.

Israeli security forces detained numerous activists, including Turkish citizens. These individuals include Sena Polat, Abdulmecid Bagcivan, Abdullah Gundem, Alpaslan Arslan, Yunus Demir, Turgay Turan, Zeynel Abidin Ozkan, Muhammed Fatih Sinan, Sumeyye Sena Polat, Semih Fener, Hakan Simsek, Emine Gunes, Omer Faruk Narli, Selahattin Ozdemir, and Sinan Akliotu.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli announced that efforts are underway to return to Türkiye the 14 Turkish citizens currently held in Israel. Keçeli stated that 36 Turkish citizens were brought to Türkiye by private plane on October 4th, and that negotiations are ongoing to allow the remaining citizens to return home via Jordan as of October 7th.