️ Two activists from a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla who were detained and abducted by Israeli authorities have appeared in court in Israel, according to the Israeli rights group Adalah. Saif Abu Keshek from Spain and Brazilian Thiago Avila attended court proceedings in Ashkelon on Sunday.

️ The pair were among dozens of activists who had set sail for Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Greece on Thursday. Organizers said 168 members were taken to Crete while two were abducted to Israel for questioning.

️ The court extended the activists' detention by two days for further interrogation. No charges have been filed, but they face accusations including affiliation with a “terrorist organization and contact with foreign agents.”

️ Adalah attorneys argued the proceedings were “flawed and illegal,” stating there is no legal basis for the “extraterritorial application of these offenses to the actions of foreign nationals in international waters.” The group called it a “retaliatory measure against humanitarian activist leaders.”

️ Israel's Foreign Ministry claimed the activists are part of the Palestinian National Conference Abroad, which the US says operates at the “behest” of Hamas. Spain condemned the “kidnapping” of Abu Keshek and rejected the accusations.

️ On Saturday, Adalah lawyers visited the activists at Shikma Prison, where they gave testimony of “severe physical abuse amounting to torture.” Avila reported being “dragged face-down across the floor and beaten so severely that he passed out twice.” Both activists have declared a hunger strike.

️ The Global Sumud Flotilla's first voyage to Gaza in August and September drew worldwide attention before Israeli forces intercepted the boats. Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and expelled.

Source: www.aljazeera.com