Activists arrested in international waters by Israel, human rights organizations question legality
Two activists attempting to sail to Gaza in October last year were arrested by Israel in international waters, with reports of torture. Human rights lawyers question the legality of kidnapping people in international waters, while Israel denies the allegations.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 16:34
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Shih Wan-ching, Cairo, 6th) In October last year, two members of a maritime advocacy flotilla attempting to sail to Gaza to support Palestinians were arrested by Israel in international waters. An Israeli court recently ordered their continued detention, and reports of torture and abuse have emerged. Human rights lawyers stated that kidnapping people in international waters is not legal.
Saudi media "Arab News" reported that Spanish activist Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila recently joined the "Global Sumud Flotilla" and sailed to Gaza to participate in humanitarian aid operations. They were intercepted and detained by the Israeli military in international waters near the Greek coast on April 30.
The report stated that the Israeli military intercepted a total of 22 ships, kidnapped about 200 activists, and handed most of them over to Greek authorities, but refused to release Keshek and Avila.
Keshek and Avila were brought to an Israeli court for interrogation on May 3 and subsequently detained for two more days. They were accused of crimes such as "assisting the enemy in wartime" and "joining a terrorist organization."
The report pointed out that human rights organizations representing Keshek and Avila stated that the two suffered brutal torture and abuse in Israeli prisons, facing physical and mental torment, death threats, and harsh detention conditions. However, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the claims of physical violence against the two.
Human rights organization "Adalah" issued a statement: "Avila was interrogated multiple times, each interrogation lasting up to 8 hours, and was threatened by interrogators with either death or a 100-year prison sentence."
Adalah further added that Keshek and Avila were held in solitary confinement and subjected to torture and beatings. Their cells were kept at extremely cold temperatures and with high-intensity lighting. They were also blindfolded during medical examinations.
Adalah's lawyers also questioned that Israel should not illegally kidnap people in international waters that are not under its jurisdiction. At the same time, the interrogation mainly focused on the flotilla itself, confirming Israel's attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid and solidarity activities.
Independent media "Drop Site News" quoted Adalah's lawyer as saying, "Does this mean that as long as someone is accused of being associated with a terrorist organization recognized by Israel or the United States, Israel can kidnap anyone anywhere in the world and 'extradite' them to Israel?"
In October last year, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg also joined the "Global Sumud Flotilla" maritime advocacy action, attempting to support Palestinians and transport aid supplies into Gaza.
The "Global Sumud Flotilla" ships were also intercepted and boarded by Israeli soldiers in international waters near the coasts of Egypt and Gaza. Israel detained Thunberg and 478 others for several days before deporting them from Israel.
Israel has controlled all access to Gaza since 2007; Gaza has long been blocked by Israel with high concrete walls, preventing free passage and communication with the outside world, and is known as the "world's largest open-air prison."
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, Gaza has consistently faced problems of critical material shortages. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Shih Wan-ching, Cairo, 6th) In October last year, two members of a maritime advocacy flotilla attempting to sail to Gaza to support Palestinians were arrested by Israel in international waters. An Israeli court recently ordered their continued detention, and reports of torture and abuse have emerged. Human rights lawyers stated that kidnapping people in international waters is not legal.
Saudi media "Arab News" reported that Spanish activist Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila recently joined the "Global Sumud Flotilla" and sailed to Gaza to participate in humanitarian aid operations. They were intercepted and detained by the Israeli military in international waters near the Greek coast on April 30.
The report stated that the Israeli military intercepted a total of 22 ships, kidnapped about 200 activists, and handed most of them over to Greek authorities, but refused to release Keshek and Avila.
Keshek and Avila were brought to an Israeli court for interrogation on May 3 and subsequently detained for two more days. They were accused of crimes such as "assisting the enemy in wartime" and "joining a terrorist organization."
The report pointed out that human rights organizations representing Keshek and Avila stated that the two suffered brutal torture and abuse in Israeli prisons, facing physical and mental torment, death threats, and harsh detention conditions. However, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the claims of physical violence against the two.
Human rights organization "Adalah" issued a statement: "Avila was interrogated multiple times, each interrogation lasting up to 8 hours, and was threatened by interrogators with either death or a 100-year prison sentence."
Adalah further added that Keshek and Avila were held in solitary confinement and subjected to torture and beatings. Their cells were kept at extremely cold temperatures and with high-intensity lighting. They were also blindfolded during medical examinations.
Adalah's lawyers also questioned that Israel should not illegally kidnap people in international waters that are not under its jurisdiction. At the same time, the interrogation mainly focused on the flotilla itself, confirming Israel's attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid and solidarity activities.
Independent media "Drop Site News" quoted Adalah's lawyer as saying, "Does this mean that as long as someone is accused of being associated with a terrorist organization recognized by Israel or the United States, Israel can kidnap anyone anywhere in the world and 'extradite' them to Israel?"
In October last year, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg also joined the "Global Sumud Flotilla" maritime advocacy action, attempting to support Palestinians and transport aid supplies into Gaza.
The "Global Sumud Flotilla" ships were also intercepted and boarded by Israeli soldiers in international waters near the coasts of Egypt and Gaza. Israel detained Thunberg and 478 others for several days before deporting them from Israel.
Israel has controlled all access to Gaza since 2007; Gaza has long been blocked by Israel with high concrete walls, preventing free passage and communication with the outside world, and is known as the "world's largest open-air prison."
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, Gaza has consistently faced problems of critical material shortages. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.