The Israeli army yesterday released most of the Global Sumud Flotilla activists in Heraklion, the capital of Crete. They had been detained during their expedition towards the Gaza Strip. However, two individuals, a Palestinian with Spanish nationality and a Brazilian, were transferred to Israel for interrogation.
“"Saif Abukeshek, suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization, and Thiago Ávila, suspected of illegal activities, will be taken to Israel for interrogation."
The Spanish Government condemned the detention and possible transfer of one of the activists, described as “kidnapping” by a minister. This activist, with over twenty years of residence in Spain and Spanish nationality, lives in Barcelona and is the international relations secretary of the Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya (IAC). He had previously participated in an earlier flotilla last September. The Foreign Minister reported that the Spanish consul in Athens was in Crete to assist the Spaniards disembarked.
The Israeli Armed Forces intercepted 22 of the 58 vessels sailing towards Gaza. Of the approximately 175 activists arrested, about twenty were Catalan. Among them is a resident of Arcalís (Pallars Sobirà), who serves as the press and communication secretary for the IAC. Expedition members also reported being beaten, deprived of food and water, and forced to sleep on a flooded floor.
Separately, two minors were arrested and three Catalan police officers were injured on Thursday during incidents at a demonstration in Barcelona demanding the release of the Flotilla members.
