Two activists from a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla have been presented before an Israeli court days after they were abducted following their detention with 175 other campaigners by Israel in international waters near Greece.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila have been on a hunger strike during their detention although they have continued to drink water. The Global Sumud Flotilla comprising more than 50 vessels had set sail from France, Spain and Italy on April 12 with the aim of breaking an Israeli blockade of Gaza and bringing supplies to the devastated Palestinian territory.
Gaza has been under an Israeli sea, land and air blockade since 2005, and since October 7, 2023, Israel has tightened its control over what goes in and out of the enclave – home to 2.3 million people. The activists were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Greece on Thursday. All of them were released except Abu Keshek and Avila.
Abu Keshek is a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin who was abducted from the flotilla off Crete on Thursday. According to the Global Sumud Flotilla website, he is based in Barcelona and has been organizing Palestinian solidarity movements across Europe for more than 20 years. After Israel intercepted the flotilla, Abu Keshek was transferred to Shikma Prison in Ashkelon, where he was allegedly subjected to torture on an Israeli military vessel.
The Israeli human rights organization Adalah visited the two men in Shikma Prison and reported physical violence, including being kept hand-tied and blindfolded, forced to lie face-down, resulting in bruising. Avila reportedly was dragged face-down across the floor and beaten so severely that he passed out twice.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez demanded the release of the Spanish citizen, calling his detention unlawful. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Israel’s action an “act of piracy”. On Sunday, the court in Ashkelon approved a two-day extension to the detention of the activists.
The Global Sumud Flotilla reiterated that the forced transfer of civilians from international waters, combined with credible allegations of torture and absence of due process, constitutes a serious violation of international law and must be met with accountability. The organization has called on governments and human rights organizations worldwide to demand their release.
Source: www.aljazeera.com