„Based on a report I requested from our Consul General in Turkey, who informed me of sexual violence, exposure to the cold, beatings, and repeated humiliation of French nationals, all of these acts are likely to constitute criminal offences (and) I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor,“ Barrot told France Inter radio.
Archiv: Bürgerinnen / Bürger / Bürgerschaft / citizens / citizenships
The farce of Israel’s ‘liberal’ investigative journalism
Two weeks ago, the investigative program HaMakor on Israel’s Channel 13 aired a 60-minute report on the December 2023 killing of three Israeli hostages — Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz, and Samer Al-Talalka — who were shot by Israeli soldiers in Shuja’iya, eastern Gaza City, after emerging from a hiding place carrying a white flag.
Even without intimate knowledge of the details, one thing should have been clear from the outset: When soldiers fire from inside buildings at three shirtless men carrying a white flag, kill two of them, then pursue the third, call him out of hiding, and shoot him dead, the issue is not merely “mistaken identity.” The issue is that Israeli soldiers routinely shoot innocent people. One would have to be extraordinarily naïve to believe that the single time this happened, the victims just happened to be Israelis.
Israel deports Gaza flotilla activists Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila
Following a multi-week investigation, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Gaza flotilla activists Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila were deported from Israel
The Global Global Sumud Flotilla Demands Immediate Release of Political Prisoner Saif Abukeshek As Swedish Embassy Visit Reveals Threats, Abuse, and Deteriorating Health in israeli Detention
The international community must understand the gravity of this moment. israel is holding a Palestinian activist seized in international waters without charge, threatening his children and family, psychologically tormenting him during interrogations, and allowing his health to deteriorate during a dry hunger strike.
The Global Sumud Flotilla calls on:
– The Swedish government to immediately demand Saif’s release and publicly condemn his treatment;
– International human rights organizations and legal bodies to intervene before irreversible harm is done;
– Media outlets worldwide to expose the reality of what is happening inside the Shikma detention facility for decades;
– People of conscience everywhere to raise urgent public pressure for Saif’s release and the release of Thiago and all Palestinian hostages and political prisoners
– Accountability of all those involved in these ongoing abuses and crimes against humanity against Saif, Thiago and all Palestinians.
Germany: Trial of ‚Ulm Five‘ protesters accused of Elbit break-in postponed
Known by the name „Ulm Five“, the activists allegedly entered the factory on the 8 September 2025 by smashing a glass facade and subsequently destroyed office equipment, including computers, screens and telephones.
Shortly after, the five were arrested and have since been held in pretrial detention in different prisons across southern Germany.
‘Extraordinarily far-reaching’ Palestine Action trial gets underway in Germany
(April 28, 2026)
In the early hours of Sept. 8, 2025, a group of activists wearing black hoodies that bore the red and white logo of Palestine Action broke into the offices of Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems in Ulm, southern Germany.
Once inside the compound, according to prosecutors, they damaged and partly destroyed furniture, windows, and technical equipment with axes; sprayed slogans on the walls; lit pyrotechnics; and chanted “Free, free Palestine” and “Germany finances, Israel bombs.” As visible from the activists’ own filming of the break-in, no one was harmed during the action. They remained on site and called the police, who later detained them.
Since their arrest, the five activists — Daniel Tatlow-Devally (an Irish citizen), Leandra Rollo (a Spanish citizen), Crow Tricks and Zo Hailu (British citizens), and Vi Kovarbasic (a German citizen) — have been held in pre-trial detention in separate prisons across southern Germany.
Israeli court extends detention of two Gaza flotilla activists until May 10
„I am convinced that there is reasonable suspicion,“ Judge Yaniv Ben-Haroush concluded after hearing parties‘ arguments in granting the extension.
Lawyers for human rights group Adalah had argued during the hearing that the allegations were baseless and there were no legal grounds for the continued detention of the two men.
They said no formal charges have been filed, and their detention was for purposes of ongoing interrogation.
Israeli court extends detention of 2 Gaza-bound flotilla volunteers
However, their lawyers argued that “the entire legal process is fundamentally flawed and illegal,” the statement added.
No charges have been filed against either activists and they remain under interrogation at the pre-indictment stage, the group said.
Israeli court extends detention of two Gaza aid flotilla activists by two days
Spain’s foreign minister on Saturday called for the immediate release of Saif Abukeshek, a dual Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, who was detained for questioning in Israel on Saturday along with Thiago Ávila of Brazil. A legal aid group said both men had launched a hunger strike. Dozens of other activists were picked up by the Greek coast guard following the Israeli action and taken to the island of Crete. (AP video shot by Ami Bentov)
Freedom Flotilla Coalition Calls for the Immediate Release of Global Sumud Flotilla Organizers
We are particularly alarmed by the risk of abuse they now face in Israeli custody. Past treatment of detained flotilla participants has included documented cases of beatings, coercion, sexual assault, and rape. Given this record, there are serious concerns that Saif and Thiago could be subjected to similar violations, including torture or other forms of ill-treatment.
The reported attempt to link Saif Abu Kishek to “terrorism” follows Israel’s well-established pattern of using baseless security allegations to justify the repression of Palestinians and those in solidarity with them. Such accusations must be viewed in light of Israel’s systematic discrimination and apartheid regime.
This incident is yet another example of Israel’s ongoing disregard for international law. The global community cannot continue to respond with silence and inaction. States have a legal and moral obligation to act to uphold the rule of law, to ensure accountability, and to bring an end to Israel’s unchecked aggression and crimes against humanity.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition stands in full solidarity with Saif, Thiago, and all those who risk their safety to defend freedom, dignity, and human rights.
Activists’ detention deepens Spain-Israel tensions as aid group says men have begun hunger strike
Spain’s foreign minister on Saturday called for the immediate release of an activist detained by Israel after an aid flotilla bound for Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters.
Saif Abukeshek, a dual Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, was detained for questioning in Israel on Saturday along with Thiago Ávila of Brazil. A legal aid group said both men had launched a hunger strike.
Two flotilla detainees arrive in Israel amid fears for Spaniard Abu Keshek
Israel has confirmed that Spanish activist Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Ávila, detained during the raid on the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, are now in Israeli territory awaiting questioning. Spain deems the arrest illegal.
Comunicado España-Brazil sobre secuestro aguas internacionales
Los Gobiernos de España y de Brasil condenan en los términos más
enérgicos el secuestro de dos de sus ciudadanos en aguas internacionales
por parte del Gobierno de Israel.
Ambos se encontraban a bordo de embarcaciones de la flotilla Sumud,
interceptadas por fuerzas israelíes en aguas internacionales, y no fueron
liberados cuando se produjo la aprehensión de dichas naves ni tras el
posterior desembarco de los pasajeros y tripulantes en la isla de Creta.
Esta acción flagrantemente ilegal de las autoridades israelíes fuera de su
jurisdicción constituye un atropello al Derecho Internacional, susceptible de
ser invocado ante tribunales internacionales, y puede constituir un delito
en nuestras respectivas jurisdicciones nacionales.
Los Gobiernos de España y Brasil exigen al Gobierno de Israel el retorno
inmediato de sus ciudadanos con plenas garantías de seguridad, y que se
facilite el acceso consular inmediato para su asistencia y protección
Joint Statement by Spain and Brazil on Abduction in International Waters
The Governments of Spain and Brazil condemn in the strongest possible terms the abduction of two of their citizens in international waters by the Government of Israel.
Both were on board vessels of the Sumud flotilla, which were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, and were not released when the vessels were seized nor after the subsequent disembarkation of the passengers and crew on the island of Crete.
This flagrantly illegal action by the Israeli authorities outside their jurisdiction constitutes a violation of international law, which may be invoked before international courts, and may constitute a criminal offence under our respective national laws.
The Governments of Spain and Brazil demand that the Government of Israel immediately return their citizens with full guarantees of safety, and that immediate consular access be granted for their assistance and protection.
Flotilla Activists Beaten and Shot at by IDF, With 34 Hospitalised in Greece
34 wounded participants – including two Brits – have been taken to hospital in Crete, flotilla organisers said, with broken bones and other injuries. One participant was reportedly knocked unconscious for several minutes, while another has serious injuries to their neck. Several have broken ribs and noses, and some appear to be wearing blood-stained clothes.
Nearly 200 others are still being held on buses by Greek authorities, with the government accused of “cooperating fully” with Israel.
Turkish activist slams Israel’s illegal interception of Gaza aid flotilla, calls it ‘piracy’
Turkish activist Suayb Ordu says Israeli forces “kidnapped” Global Sumud Flotilla activists in international waters, calling it an “outright piracy.”
Ordu emphasised that they were subjected to torture and abuse by Israel, being forced to cram into containers and treated like “animals.”
On Wednesday, Israeli forces seized 22 Gaza-bound ships carrying humanitarian aid and detained over 180 activists, in what organisers from the Global Sumud Flotilla described as an act of “piracy”.
Global Sumud Flotilla Demands Urgent EU Intervention After Two Civilians Abducted and Disappear
(May 1, 2026)
Saif Abukeshek (a Spanish and Swedish national of Palestinian origin) and Thiago Ávila (a Brazilian national), civilian flotilla participants sailing under an Italian vessel, have not been heard from since the interception. Their whereabouts, legal status, and physical condition remain unknown.
First-hand testimony from participants reveals that Abukeshek was on an observer boat, which was never intended to go to Gaza, and was harshly beaten before being removed and isolated from the rest of the participants; he has not been heard from since.
There is credible reason to believe that both individuals may still be in or near Greek waters, potentially aboard an Israeli naval vessel. Despite the gravity of the situation, no authority has confirmed their location or whether they have access to legal counsel, consular support, or basic legal protections.
Most Gaza flotilla activists disembark in Greece, Israel brings two in for questioning
Saif Abu Keshek is suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization, while Thiago Ávila is suspected of illegal activity.
UN peacekeeper from Indonesia dies after Lebanon attack: UNIFIL
With Rico’s death, Indonesia has lost four soldiers serving with UNIFIL in southern Lebanon over the past month.
Among them was Private First Class Farizal Rhomadhon, who died in an artillery attack on March 29 in the same incident that initially left Rico wounded.
On March 30, two Indonesian soldiers, Captain Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ikhwan, were killed when the convoy they were escorting came under attack.
List of Conservatives Rebuking Donald Trump’s Jesus Image, Pope Feud
Candace Owens, conservative commentator
Carmine Sabia, conservative pundit
Megan Basham, The Daily Wire
Brilyn Hollyhand, MAGA influencer
Marjorie Taylor Greene, former GOP Representative
Milo Yiannopoulos, right-wing influencer
Riley Gaines, anti-trans activist
Trump Finally Deletes Crazed Christ Post Even MAGA Hates
The post was quietly deleted following an outpouring of anger on Monday morning from Catholics, the largest single religious denomination across the country. Hours later, Trump asserted during a press conference that, while he did share the image, he believed he was depicted as a Red Cross doctor, not Jesus.
Trump deletes social media post with AI image depicting him as Jesus after backlash
President Trump deleted a social media post depicting him as Jesus Christ after receiving widespread backlash over the AI-generated image. CBS News‘ Weijia Jiang has more.
Pope on board plane to Algeria: ‘I am not a politician, I speak of the Gospel‘
The Pope stressed that he does “not see my role as that of a politician. I am not a politician, and I do not want to enter into a debate with him.”
Moreover, he continued, “I do not think the message of the Gospel should be abused as some are doing. I continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems. Too many people are suffering today, too many innocent lives have been lost, and I believe someone must stand up and say there is a better way.”
The Pope then renewed the same call with which he began his pontificate: peace. “I say this to all world leaders, not only him [President Trump]: let us end wars and promote peace and reconciliation.”
Archbishop Coakley’s Response to President Trump’s Social Media Post on Pope Leo XIV
WASHINGTON – Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a brief response to a social media post by President Trump on Sunday evening.
“I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”
Trump Post of Himself as ‘Jesus’ Includes Strange Horned Creature Not in Original
President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image depictimg himself late Sunday as a Jesus-like character healing a sick man, but the image included one not-so-subtle change from the original posted months ago by a MAGA fan – swapping out a U.S. soldier for a horned creature with wings.
The president’s religious depiction of himself in the viral image alone was enough to draw furious criticism from even his most die-hard supporters, who accused him of “blasphemy” and urged him to remove it.
Trump posts AI image of himself as Jesus healing the sick
In the image, the US President appears in red and white robes. His outstretched hand is healing a sick man, dressed in hospital clothes and laying in a bed. Rays of light come out of his hands.
An American flag flutters over President Trump’s shoulder, who is surrounded by two men in military camouflage, a nurse, and a praying woman. Eagles and fighter jets fly by. Depictions of what appear to be fighter pilots are ascending in the sky, where angels may typically be in a scene.
Trump, 79, Posts Himself as Christ After Bonkers Pope Attack
The image, posted to Truth Social late Sunday night, depicts Trump as Christ, laying his hand on a patient in a hospital bed, seemingly healing him.
He is surrounded by other figures, including a nurse, a soldier, and a praying woman. Also present in the image is the U.S. flag, several bald eagles, the Statue of Liberty, and the Lincoln Memorial.