Activists from Gaza aid flotilla appear in Israeli court following abduction

Two activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, appeared in court in Israel on Sunday. Saif Abu Keshek from Spain and Brazilian Thiago Avila attended proceedings in Ashkelon. According to Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at Adalah, the pair’s detention was extended by two days for further interrogation.

Abu Keshek and Avila were among dozens of activists who set sail for Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Greece on Thursday. Organizers stated that 168 members were taken to Crete, while two were abducted to Israel for questioning.

The court proceedings against Abu Keshek and Avila include accusations of affiliation with a “terrorist organization” and contact with foreign agents. No charges have been filed against them.

Adalah attorneys Hadeel Abu Salih and Lubna Tuma argued before the court that the proceedings were “flawed and illegal”. They stated that there is no legal basis for the application of Israeli laws to foreign nationals in international waters.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the activists as part of the Palestinian National Conference Abroad, which the United States has linked to Hamas. Spain condemned the abduction of Abu Keshek and rejected the accusations against him.

On Saturday, Adalah lawyers visited the activists at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon, where they reported being subjected to physical abuse amounting to torture. The group stated that both activists had been held in stress positions for prolonged periods by Israeli military forces during their detention.

Both Abu Keshek and Avila have declared a hunger strike, although they continue to drink water. Adalah has represented many of the campaigners involved in this mission as well as previous ones.

Source: Al Jazeera