Israel deports 2 activists detained from Global Sumud Flotilla
Thiago Avila, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, arrives to attend his trial for a remand extension at the Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court in Ashkelon, Israel, on May 3. Avila and Saif Abukeshek were deported on Sunday after Israel’s foreign ministry said it concluded an investigation into the two. Photo by Abir Sultan/EPA
May 10 (UPI) — Israel deported two activists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza more than a week ago.
Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila were deported on Sunday after Israel’s foreign ministry said it concluded an investigation into the two. It had suspected Abu Keshek, a dual citizen of Spain and Sweden who is of Palestinian origin, of being affiliated with a terrorist organization and suspected Avila of being involved in criminal activity.
The foreign ministry confirmed on social media that Abu Keshek and Avila were deported on Sunday.
Abu Keshek and Avila were part of the flotilla of 22 boats and nearly 175 activists that was intercepted off the Greek island Crete more than a week ago. Armed Israeli naval troops boarded the vessels, destroyed their engines and blocked communications, preventing the flotilla from reaching Gaza, more than 700 miles away.
Hadeel Abu Salih, an attorney who represented Abu Keshek and Avila during their detention, called the detention of them and other activists unlawful and a “sham proceeding with no legal basis, intended to punish them for attempting to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza.”
Abu Salih is part of the rights group Adalah. It alleges that they were subject to “psychological abuse” during their detainment.
The Global Sumud Flotilla released a statement on Saturday calling for sanctions against Israel for the detainment of activists.
“We demand explanations from the European Union, and specifically, Greece, after days of silence and complicity, and we call for immediate sanctions against Israel for this illegal abduction and for the constant violations of international law and human rights of the Palestinian people,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement.