Israel Extends Detention of Two Activists from Gaza Aid Flotilla
Urooba Jamal
An Israeli court on May 6 extended the detention of two humanitarian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, seized in international waters off Greece. Despite no charges being filed, they face allegations of ties to a terrorist organization. Lawyers and human rights groups condemn the detention as illegal and abusive, citing secret evidence and harsh conditions.
The Ashkelon Magistrates' Court on May 6 granted the Israeli state's request to extend the detention of Saif Abu Keshek (Spanish) and Thiago Avila (Brazilian) until May 10, confirmed Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator for the human rights organization Adalah, to Al Jazeera.
The two are among activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza, which Israeli forces intercepted in international waters off the coast of Greece on April 30. According to organizers, of the 180 activists on board, the majority were taken to Crete; only Abu Keshek and Avila were brought to Israel for interrogation and remain in custody.
“The court's decision to extend the detention of humanitarian activists abducted in international waters legitimizes the state's lawlessness,” Adalah said in a statement on May 6, announcing it would appeal the ruling. The extension was based on “secret evidence” that Abu Keshek, Avila, and their lawyers were not allowed to review.
“Notably, the court granted the full six-day extension the state requested without imposing any restrictions or judicial oversight on the interrogation period,” Adalah's statement said.
No charges have been filed against the two men, but they face multiple allegations, including “ties to a terrorist organization” and “contact with a foreign agent,” Adalah previously stated. Lawyers Hadeel Abu Salih and Lubna Tuma, representing the activists, described the allegations as “baseless” and lacking “legal foundation.”
“Because the activists were abducted more than 1,000 km from Gaza and are not Israeli citizens, Israel's domestic law does not apply to them,” the human rights group argued.
Adalah also said the two activists are being held in “complete isolation, exposed to high-intensity lighting 24/7 in their cells, and blindfolded during any movement, including medical check-ups.” They have continued a hunger strike, consuming only water since their abduction on April 30.
The flotilla organizers also demanded the release of Abu Keshek and Avila on May 6, calling on the international community to act. “The Zionist regime once again extends the illegal detention of our friends,” the group posted on X, accusing the activists of being abducted in international waters, beaten and tortured in Greek waters, and forcibly transferred to occupied Palestine, where they face interrogation, death threats, sleep deprivation, and medical neglect.
During a visit to the activists at Shikma prison in Ashkelon on May 3, Adalah lawyers documented testimony of “physical abuse so severe it amounts to torture.” The Global Sumud Flotilla's first voyage to Gaza in August and September last year drew world attention before Israeli forces stopped the boats off the Egyptian and Gaza coasts in early October, arresting and deporting crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
