Israeli court rejects appeal of Gaza flotilla activists

An Israeli district court in Beersheba has turned down a legal challenge filed by the human rights organization Adalah against the continued detention of two activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla. Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek remain in custody after the court rejected arguments that their arrest in international waters was unlawful.

No jurisdiction in open seas, lawyer argues

Attorney Hadeel Abu Saleh from Adalah confirmed the ruling, stating that the central court “accepted all the arguments presented by the Israeli police” and upheld the detention extension. The defense had argued that the activists were apprehended approximately 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Gaza, near the Greek island of Crete, where Israeli authorities hold no legal jurisdiction. Abu Saleh noted that both individuals were questioned about their humanitarian mission to deliver relief supplies to Gaza’s population and were en route to Greece when intercepted by the Israeli navy.

Rights group condemns ‘arbitrary’ detention

Adalah described the court’s decision as lacking legal foundation, emphasizing that neither activist holds Israeli citizenship. The organization stated, “the accusations against them — including aiding the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, membership in a terrorist organization, providing services to such an organization and transferring property on its behalf — were unsupported by evidence.” Adalah further asserted that there was no reasonable suspicion or risk of evidence tampering, calling the continued detention “arbitrary and unlawful.”

Background of the flotilla mission

On April 29, Israeli naval forces intercepted several vessels linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Crete. Organizers said 345 participants from 39 countries, including Turkish citizens, were aboard. Israeli forces reportedly seized 21 boats carrying around 175 activists, while remaining vessels continued toward Greek territory. This marks the second such mission; a previous attempt in September 2025 ended with an Israeli raid and mass arrests. Israel has maintained a strict blockade on Gaza since 2007. Approximately 1.5 million Palestinians have been displaced following two years of war that began in October 2023, exacerbating the enclave’s humanitarian crisis.