ASHKELON, Israel – Two activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted their Gaza-bound humanitarian vessel will remain in custody for an additional two days, according to their legal representative.
Spanish citizen Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila were taken into custody Wednesday evening and transported to Israel following the maritime interception in international waters off Greece. More than 100 additional pro-Palestinian volunteers aboard the vessels were relocated to the Greek island of Crete.
Court officials confirmed Sunday that the detention period has been prolonged through May 5.
Both Spain and Brazil released a joint declaration Friday denouncing the arrests as unlawful.
The detained individuals participated in the second Global Sumud flotilla mission, which aimed to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade through humanitarian supply delivery. The vessels departed Barcelona on April 12.
Israeli prosecutors sought a four-day detention extension based on allegations including wartime enemy assistance, foreign agent communication, terrorist organization membership and service provision, and property transfer to terrorist groups, according to rights organization Adalah, which supports the activists’ legal defense.
Defense attorney Hadeel Abu Salih stated her clients reject all accusations. She argued the arrests violated jurisdictional authority and emphasized the mission’s civilian aid purpose rather than any militant support. “The mission was meant to provide aid to civilians in Gaza, not to any militant group,” Abu Salih told reporters following the Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court proceedings.
Abu Salih reported that both men experienced physical mistreatment during transport to Israel and remained restrained and blindfolded until Thursday morning.
Israeli military officials have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Israel’s foreign ministry labeled the flotilla organizers as “professional provocateurs” on Thursday.
“Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” ministry officials declared.
