Israel to Seek Six-Day Detention Extension for Flotilla Activists
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila face accusations of assisting the enemy during wartime and membership in a terrorist organization.
Israeli authorities are expected to request a court extension of detention for two foreign activists by six days as they prepare for their second hearing on Tuesday, according to a rights group representing them.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila were taken into custody last week for questioning and are currently being held at an Israeli prison in Ashkelon.
Both individuals were part of the crew aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Greece earlier this week.
At their initial hearing on Sunday, their detention was extended by two days, with another hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at Adalah, an Israeli rights group, has stated that the state is seeking a six-day extension for the activists.
Additionally, Adalah claims that both men have been on hunger strike since the start of their detainment, marking Tuesday as their sixth day without food.
They also accuse Israeli authorities of physical and psychological abuse in detention.
According to Adalah, the activists are held in isolation with constant bright lighting in their cells and are kept blindfolded during all movements outside of their cells, including medical examinations.
In response to these allegations, Israeli authorities have denied any wrongdoing.
At Sunday’s hearing, charges against the pair were presented, including ‘assisting the enemy during wartime’ and ‘membership in and providing services to a terrorist organization.’ Adalah's legal team has challenged Israel's jurisdiction over these cases, asserting an 'unlawful abduction' of the activists in international waters.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry claims that both individuals have connections to the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a group accused by the United States of supporting Hamas, a militant Palestinian organization.
The flotilla vessels departed from France, Spain, and Italy with the intention of challenging Israel's blockade on Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory.
However, they were intercepted by Israeli forces near Greek waters.
Last year's maiden voyage of the Global Sumud Flotilla was also halted by Israeli authorities off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza.
Since 2007, Israel has maintained a complete blockade over Gaza.
Throughout the recent conflict that began in October 2023, there have been shortages of crucial supplies within the territory, with Israel occasionally cutting off all aid.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila were taken into custody last week for questioning and are currently being held at an Israeli prison in Ashkelon.
Both individuals were part of the crew aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Greece earlier this week.
At their initial hearing on Sunday, their detention was extended by two days, with another hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at Adalah, an Israeli rights group, has stated that the state is seeking a six-day extension for the activists.
Additionally, Adalah claims that both men have been on hunger strike since the start of their detainment, marking Tuesday as their sixth day without food.
They also accuse Israeli authorities of physical and psychological abuse in detention.
According to Adalah, the activists are held in isolation with constant bright lighting in their cells and are kept blindfolded during all movements outside of their cells, including medical examinations.
In response to these allegations, Israeli authorities have denied any wrongdoing.
At Sunday’s hearing, charges against the pair were presented, including ‘assisting the enemy during wartime’ and ‘membership in and providing services to a terrorist organization.’ Adalah's legal team has challenged Israel's jurisdiction over these cases, asserting an 'unlawful abduction' of the activists in international waters.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry claims that both individuals have connections to the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a group accused by the United States of supporting Hamas, a militant Palestinian organization.
The flotilla vessels departed from France, Spain, and Italy with the intention of challenging Israel's blockade on Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory.
However, they were intercepted by Israeli forces near Greek waters.
Last year's maiden voyage of the Global Sumud Flotilla was also halted by Israeli authorities off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza.
Since 2007, Israel has maintained a complete blockade over Gaza.
Throughout the recent conflict that began in October 2023, there have been shortages of crucial supplies within the territory, with Israel occasionally cutting off all aid.
