An Israeli court on Wednesday rejected an appeal challenging the detention of two foreign activists abducted by Israeli forces from a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, prompting strong condemnation from a rights group representing them as well as international calls for their immediate release.
Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila were among dozens of participants aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Greece last Thursday. While most activists were transferred to the Greek island of Crete and later released, the two men were taken to Israel for interrogation.
An Israeli court had earlier extended their detention until Sunday, allowing authorities additional time for questioning. On Wednesday, the Beersheva district court rejected an appeal filed by their lawyers against the detention, effectively upholding the earlier decision.
According to lawyer Hadeel Abu Salih, the court “denied our appeal and basically accepted all of the arguments” presented by the state and police. She described the detention as unlawful, arguing that the activists were seized in international waters without legal authority and later brought to Israel for interrogation.
Abu Salih further accused Israeli judicial authorities of enabling repeated actions by security forces, saying the ruling effectively “gives a free hand” for similar operations in the future. She also confirmed that both detainees appeared in court in shackles, with Abu Keshek reportedly exhausted and Avila appearing calm.
The Israeli rights organisation Adalah, which is representing the two activists, condemned the ruling as “unlawful and unreasonable.” It argued that the detention is especially problematic as the activists were taken from an Italian-flagged vessel, which it says places the case under Italian jurisdiction rather than Israeli authority.
Adalah has also alleged mistreatment in detention, including claims that Avila was held in a cold cell and that both men have been subjected to prolonged interrogation. The organisation further said Israeli authorities have accused the activists of “assisting the enemy during wartime” and “providing services to a terrorist organisation.”
Reports indicate that Abu Keshek has begun a hunger strike and has refused water, while both detainees are being questioned repeatedly about their involvement in the flotilla, according to their legal team.
The case has drawn international attention, with Spain, Brazil, and United Nations officials calling for the immediate release of the two activists. UN human rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan stated that “it is not a crime to show solidarity and attempt to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza,” adding that the activists were detained in international waters and are being held without charge.
The flotilla, which departed from France, Spain, and Italy, aimed to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the enclave. Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, controlling all land, air, and sea access points.
The United Nations has also urged Israel to release the activists “immediately and unconditionally” and called for an investigation into what it described as “disturbing accounts” of mistreatment during detention.