Israel says two Gaza flotilla activists deported after weeklong detention |
The two foreign activists who were taken off a Gaza-bound flotilla on May 1 have been deported from Israel, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila were brought to Israel for questioning last week after their flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters off Greece.
Israel has accused both men of being affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a group Washington has said is “clandestinely controlled by Hamas.” The PCPA is sanctioned by Israel and the US.
Despite this, no charges were filed against the men.
“After their investigation was completed, the two professional provocateurs, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila, from the provocation flotilla, were deported today from Israel,” the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
“Israel will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla was the second initiative in a year aiming to break an Israeli naval blockade on war-ravaged Gaza. Rights groups say the enclave has suffered shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel since the October 7, 2023,........