Israel Extends Detention Of Spain And Brazil Gaza Flotilla Activists In Ashkelon

An Israeli court extended the detention of two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla by a further two days, according to reports cited by Dialogue Pakistan.

“An Israeli court in Ashkelon extended the detention of Brazilian activist Tiago Avila and Spanish activist Seif Abu Kashk by two more days, according to a human rights center representing them”

Al-Jazeera Net

The activists were identified as Saif Abu Kashk from Spain and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian national, and they were presented before a court in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on Sunday, the same source said.

Al-Jazeera Net

Dialogue Pakistan reported that the flotilla—described as comprising more than 50 vessels—had set sail from France, Spain and Italy to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance.

It said Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters near Greece on Thursday, detaining around 175 activists, and that two individuals were transferred to Israel for further questioning while the remaining detainees were handed over to Greek authorities.

Al-Jazeera Net similarly said an Israeli court in Ashkelon extended the detention of Brazilian activist Tiago Avila and Spanish activist Seif Abu Kashk by two more days, citing a human rights center representing them.

Al-Jazeera Net added that Avila appeared in court handcuffed, while Abu Kashk’s feet were chained, after Israel arrested them in international waters last Thursday along with dozens of activists aboard about 20 ships belonging to the Global Resilience Flotilla.

In the same account, Israel transported most of the activists to Crete and dropped them off after reaching an agreement with Greek authorities, except for Avila and Abu Kashk, who were kept for interrogation inside Israel.

Israel’s detention decisions were accompanied by a set of potential charges and accusations described by multiple outlets.

Dialogue Pakistan said Israeli authorities submitted a list of potential charges against the pair, including “assisting the enemy during wartime” and “membership of or support for a terrorist organisation”.

Dialogue Pakistan

It also reported that the two activists were transferred to Israel for further questioning after the interception in international waters near Greece on Thursday.

Al-Jazeera Net said Tel Aviv accuses Abu Kashk of being one of the leaders of the Conference of Palestinians Abroad, and it said the Israeli Foreign Ministry accuses the Brazilian activist of working with the Conference of Palestinians Abroad and of involvement in potentially illegal activities.

The same Al-Jazeera Net account said the Adala Center for Human Rights reported that Avila and Abu Kashk gave testimonies about severe physical abuse, including beating, isolation, and days of being blindfolded at sea.

It added that the activists continue their hunger strike in protest of their detention and their unlawful treatment.

Ynetnews, meanwhile, described claims by flotilla participants that IDF troops “violently attacked” them, and it said Corriere della Sera published photos showing what it said were apparent signs of violence on their faces.

Spain and Brazil condemned the detention of the flotilla activists and framed the interception as outside Israel’s legal authority, according to جريدة القدس.

“Summary - Israeli forces have intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and detained two activists, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs”

Minute Mirror

The outlet said the Spanish government strongly condemned the Israeli authorities' detention of Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abu Kashk, describing the action as illegal and a blatant disregard for international norms.

It quoted Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares as affirming that the detention occurred in international waters, placing it outside any legal jurisdiction that would grant Israel the right to intercept ships or arrest those on board.

In the same account, Albares demanded the immediate release of Abu Kashk to ensure his safe return to Spain, emphasizing that his country would not tolerate any negligence in following up on the case of its forcibly detained citizens.

جريدة القدس also said the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the transfer of two activists from the flotilla to interrogation centers inside Israel: Saif Abu Kashk and Brazilian Thiago Avila.

It reported that a strongly worded joint statement from Spain and Brazil described the Israeli action as a flagrant violation of international law that warrants accountability before competent international courts.

Al-Jazeera Net added that Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Israel had provided no evidence supporting the charges against Abu Kashk, and it quoted him describing the arrest of the Spanish national in international waters as illegal in full and in detail.

Accounts from flotilla participants and rights groups describe physical abuse and ongoing protest by the detainees, even as Israel’s case proceeds in court.

Ynetnews said participants claimed in interviews with Italian media that they were subjected to “severe violence and torture” by IDF troops, and it said Corriere della Sera published photos on its website of two flotilla activists showing what it said were apparent signs of violence on their faces.

ynetnews

Ynetnews also said the claims followed the presence of a journalist from the Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano on the flotilla, who was the first to report the allegations of violence.

In the statement quoted by Ynetnews, the flotilla organizers said: “The activists were punched and kicked, and dragged across the deck with their hands tied behind their backs.”

The same statement said: “Some activists suffered broken noses, others broken ribs and other bleeding wounds.”

Al-Jazeera Net reported that the Adala Center for Human Rights said Avila and Abu Kashk gave testimonies about severe physical abuse, including beating, isolation, and days of being blindfolded at sea, and it added that the activists continue their hunger strike in protest of their detention and their unlawful treatment.

Al-Jazeera Net also included a personal appeal from Tiago Avila’s wife, Lara Souza, who urged everyone to mobilize with all their might to secure his release and return to his family.

The sources depict a continuing custody timeline and a widening international dispute over the flotilla’s attempt to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

“The Spanish government strongly condemned the Israeli authorities' detention of Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abu Kashk, describing the action as illegal and a blatant disregard for international norms”

Al-Jarida Al-Quds

Dialogue Pakistan said Israeli authorities submitted potential charges and that the activists were presented before a court in Ashkelon on Sunday, while Al-Jazeera Net said the detention was extended by two more days and described the detainees’ physical restraints in court.

Al-Jarida Al-Quds

Al-Jazeera Net also reported that Tiago Avila’s wife said there is contact with the Brazilian, Spanish, Swedish, and Italian governments, while she said she does not have many tangible responses beyond those governments saying they are doing all they can and trying to negotiate the release of the detainees in Israel.

Ynetnews described that the navy’s seizure of the flotilla at a great distance from Israel’s shores sparked anger in European countries, particularly from Italy and Spain, and it said organizers filed a complaint in Rome over what they described as the “kidnapping” of the two central activists and their transfer to Israel for questioning.

In the same account, the flotilla organizers said there is “grave concern for the safety of the two and that they may be severely tortured by Israeli authorities.”

جريدة القدس framed the issue as an illegal detention in international waters and said: “We are facing an illegal detention in international waters, outside the jurisdiction of any Israeli authorities, and Saif Abu Kashk must be released immediately.”

Taken together, the sources show that the immediate next step is continued interrogation and court proceedings for Saif Abu Kashk and Thiago Avila, while governments and rights groups press for release and challenge the legality of the interception and transfer to Israel.