Newsletters
Israel deported two foreign activists taken from a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters off Greece, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila were among dozens of activists aboard the flotilla, which was intercepted on April 30.
The pair were seized by Israeli forces and brought to Israel for questioning, while other activists were taken to the Greek island of Crete and released.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the two activists were deported after their investigation was completed.
“After their investigation was completed, the two professional provocateurs, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, from the provocation flotilla, were deported today from Israel,” the ministry said on X.
The ministry said Israel would “not allow any breach” of the naval blockade on Gaza.
Spain, Brazil, and the United Nations had called for the swift release of Abu Keshek and Avila.
On Wednesday, an Israeli court rejected an appeal challenging their detention.
The rights group representing them called the ruling “unlawful.”
The flotilla had set sail from France, Spain, and Italy, intending to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s first voyage last year was also intercepted by Israeli forces off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
During the Gaza war, which began in October 2023, the territory has faced shortages of critical supplies, with Israel at times cutting off aid entirely.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
