Spanish-Palestinian and Brazilian activists detained after Israeli interception of humanitarian aid vessel will be freed Saturday and deported.
4:19 PM
Israel is set to release two activists detained following the interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza, according to a statement from the rights group Adalah on Friday.
Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Palestinian activist, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian activist, will be freed on Saturday and handed over to immigration authorities pending deportation, Adalah said in representing the two men.
The pair were arrested on April 29 after Israeli forces intercepted vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian mission that sought to challenge the maritime blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance. The interception occurred in international waters near Greece.
The detention of the activists prompted criticism from Spain and Brazil, as well as questions from international organizations that accused Israel of acting outside its jurisdiction by intercepting the flotilla in international waters. Israel countered that the detainees participated in illegal activities and maintained alleged links to organizations considered terrorist entities—charges both activists have disputed.
Human rights organizations and international media reported Friday that the activists would be released and deported in the coming days. The release follows their appearance in Israeli court after what rights groups characterized as their abduction by Israeli authorities.
The Global Sumud Flotilla was organized as a civil initiative to deliver aid to Gaza while challenging the long-standing maritime blockade imposed on the territory.
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