Crete, Greece. Flotilla organisers said more than 100 pro-Palestinian activists aboard aid boats bound for Gaza were taken to the Greek island of Crete on Friday after Israeli forces seized their vessels in international waters near Greece.
Flotilla and transfer to shore
The activists were part of a second Global Sumud flotilla, launched in recent months in an attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance. The ships set sail from the Spanish port of Barcelona on April 12.
On Friday, an Israeli army ship transferred 168 members of the flotilla crew to Greek boats, which then took them to shore where buses and an ambulance were waiting, organisers said and Reuters footage showed.
Israel and organisers comment on blockade
Israel’s foreign ministry called the flotilla organisers “professional provocateurs” and said: “Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”
Two detained activists and diplomatic response
Two activists were detained by Israeli authorities, according to statements from Israel and the organisers of the flotilla, who identified them as Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila.
Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, accused Israel of illegally arresting Abu Keshek and demanded his immediate release.
Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation and Avila suspected of illegal activity, adding that both would be taken to Israel for questioning.
Allegations of mistreatment
In a post on their Telegram channel, organisers of the flotilla alleged that activists had been denied adequate food and water and “forced to sleep on floors that were deliberately and repeatedly flooded” aboard an Israeli naval vessel, describing their treatment as “40 hours of calculated cruelty”.
The organisers said some suffered injuries including broken noses and cracked ribs when they were kicked and dragged across the deck with their hands tied after they tried to protest against the detention of their two fellow activists.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the allegations of mistreatment.
How do you assess the competing accounts from the flotilla organisers and Israel over the seizure and detentions?
