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
Archiv: Saif Abukeshek
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.
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.
Live: Global Sumud Flotilla launches from Barcelona to challenge Gaza blockade
Streamed live 9 hours ago
Barcelona, Spain – The Global Sumud Flotilla is launching from Barcelona, with international activists, artists and human rights advocates taking part in a symbolic journey to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Speakers at the event include Greta Thunberg, Saif Abukeshek, Thiago Ávila, and actors Liam Cunningham and Eduard Fernández. The flotilla, named after the Arabic word sumud (steadfastness), sets sail as part of a broader call for solidarity with Palestinians under siege.