The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced today that the two activists who participated in the humanitarian flotillas for Gazatransported to Israel for questioning. The latter intercepted them on Thursday night in international waters near Crete and detained them, reports the French press agency AFP.
An activist Saif Abu Kesekwhom the Israeli authorities accuse of having links “to a terrorist organization”, and Thiago Avilawho is suspected of “illegal activities”, was handed over to the competent authorities. Israeli authorities say they are linked to an organization sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for allegedly working for the Palestinian movement Hamas.
According to Israeli authorities, Abu Kesek is a leading member of the People’s Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), and Avila is also said to be associated with it. Washington has designated the group as an organization that allegedly works covertly in the interest of Hamas, it states AFP.
The Israeli navy has arrested the crews of a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters. PHOTO: Costas Metaxakis/AFP
The US, meanwhile, supported Israel’s action on the flotilla, calling the activists “attention seekers”. Israel has prevented similar attempts to break through the blockade in the past, including in 2025, when a Swedish climate activist was among the detained activists Greta Thunberg.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares strongly condemned the illegal detention Spanish activist. Saif Abu Kešek, who was taken to Israel together with the Brazilian activist, “must be released immediately so he can return to Spain,” Albares said.
Francesco Albanesethe UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, has been wondering for several days how it is possible for Israel to arrest the crews of civilian boats in international waters, just outside Greek waters. She accused the Israeli leadership of spreading apartheid outwards as well as genocide. Greta Thunberg also asked for support on social networks.
According to its own statements, Israel took about 175 activists from more than 20 ships in international waters west of the Greek island of Crete on Thursday night. According to the organizers, it was a 211-member flotilla of the international coalition Global Sumud Flotilla, which was on its way to Gaza with humanitarian aid. The latter has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.
