Israeli Court Extends Detention of Gaza Flotilla Activists Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila

An Israeli court extended the detention of two Gaza flotilla activists, Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, after Israel intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla and brought them to Israel for questioning. The Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court extended the detention “until Sunday morning,” with police saying suspicions against the two included “aiding the enemy during wartime” and contact with terrorist elements. The activists were among those aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail last week in an attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla near Crete last week, hundreds of nautical miles away from Israel, and most activists were later released in Greece while Abu Keshek and Avila were brought to Israel for questioning.

“An Israeli court has extended the detention of two Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla activists who were abducted by Israeli authorities last week, an Israeli rights group representing them says”

Al Jazeera

Supporters and lawyers for the activists alleged mistreatment in custody as the court granted further extensions in Ashkelon. Adalah lawyer Hadeel Abu Salih told France 24 that “The court gave the police what they asked for and gave them the green light to continue with this illegal measure,” while also saying the activists were facing “psychological torture.” Al Jazeera reported that the Ashkelon Magistrates’ Court granted the state’s request to extend detention of Abu Keshek until Sunday May 10, with Adalah saying the decision amounted to “judicial validation of the state’s lawlessness.” Adalah also said the extension was based on “secret evidence” that the activists and their lawyers were not permitted to review, and it described the men as remaining in “total isolation” with “24/7 high-intensity lighting” and being kept blindfolded whenever moved.

The case is unfolding alongside renewed international scrutiny of Israel’s handling of flotilla efforts to reach Gaza, with Israel saying the naval blockade is lawful and necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas. The Jerusalem Post said the PCPA, the group Israel and the US have accused of acting as a Hamas front, has denied the allegation, and it noted the US Treasury sanctioned the group in January. The court ordered Abu Keshek and Avila to be held until May 10 at 9 a.m., and it directed the Israel Prison Service to monitor their medical condition because both men are on a hunger strike. Adalah said it would appeal the decision to the District Court, arguing that no indictment has been filed and that continued detention is for interrogation purposes only, while Spain rejected Israel’s accusation and demanded Abu Keshek’s release.