Flotilla, Israel extends detention of 2 activists by 6 days

The court in Ashkelon approved a six-day extension of the detention of two Global Sumud Flotilla activists, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, accepting the request of the Israeli police. The Haaretz website reports this, explaining that the two will remain in detention until at least Sunday. The Brazilian Avila and Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, are considered to be the leaders of the mission to break the naval blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip and are therefore the only two detained in Israel out of the 172 intercepted by the navy off the coast of Cereta last week. "The court authorised their detention until Sunday morning," said Miriam Azem, international human rights coordinator at the Israeli NGO Adalah. The activists are suspected by Israel of aiding the enemy in war, having contact with a foreign agent, belonging to and providing services to a terrorist organisation, and transferring assets to a terrorist organisation.

A delegation of MEPs today garrisoned the Israeli Embassy for the release of Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek. Starting at 1pm, progressive MEPs, including those who have already participated in the Flotilla, will call for the immediate release of the two activists illegally detained by the Israeli government after they were abducted in international waters on board the Global Sumud Flotilla. In conjunction with the protest, the two activists are expected to be heard again before the Israeli court.