Israeli authorities are transporting two high-profile activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla to Israel for questioning after their aid mission to Gaza was intercepted in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Intercepted: 22 boats and 175 activists were stopped by the Israeli navy off the coast of Crete.
- Detained: Steering committee members Saif Abukeshek (Spanish-Swedish) and Thiago Ávila (Brazilian) are being taken to Israel.
- Current Status: 31 of the original 53 vessels reached safe waters and intend to continue their mission.
The interception occurred overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, hundreds of miles from Israel and Gaza. The Global Sumud Flotilla aimed to break the naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that Abukeshek is suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization and Ávila is suspected of illegal activity, though no evidence was provided. Israeli officials defended the operation, stating early action was necessary due to the high number of boats involved.
International Accusations of Kidnapping
The governments of Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement condemning the “kidnapping” of their citizens in international waters. They described the action as a flagrant violation of international law and demanded the immediate return of the activists and consular access.
While other participants were disembarked in Crete, Abukeshek and Ávila remained detained aboard an Israeli navy ship in Greek territorial waters before being moved toward Israel.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares demanded Abukeshek’s immediate release via an audio message released Friday. Meanwhile, the Greek Foreign Ministry requested that Israel withdraw its ships from the area and offered assistance for repatriation.
Reports of Mistreatment and Violence
Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla reported that Israeli forces used “sheer violence” when detaining the activists, alleging that participants were punched, kicked, and dragged across the deck with bound hands.
The group claimed that some activists suffered broken noses, cracked ribs, and bloody beatings, and alleged that shots were fired during the chaos. Some 34 people from various nations, including the U.S., Australia, Colombia, Italy, and Ukraine, were hospitalized upon disembarkation.
Flotilla organizers further alleged that detainees were denied food and water and were forced to sleep on floors that were repeatedly flooded. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar disputed these claims, stating that those taken off the vessels were “unharmed.”
U.S. Condemnation and Political Fallout
The United States government has condemned the Global Sumud Flotilla, describing it as a “pro-Hamas initiative” and a “meaningless political stunt.” The State Department called on allies to deny the vessels port access.
This incident follows a previous effort by the group less than a year ago, which involved approximately 500 activists and 50 vessels. That attempt was also foiled by Israeli authorities, resulting in the arrest and deportation of participants, including Thiago Ávila.
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