London, 5th May 2026 – ICJP calls for the immediate release of Spanish-Swedish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila, who were part of the Global SumudFlotilla and unlawfully detained by Israel in international waters near Greece last week.
The second Global Sumud Flotilla, with around 175 members, set sail from Barcelona on 12th April in an attempt to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid at a time when Palestinian people continue to face malnutrition and starvation, due to Israel’s intentional restriction of humanitarian aid, as part of its genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Brazilian embassy officials confirmed that Thiago said he had been subjected to torture, beatings, and mistreatment in Israeli detentions, in-keeping with Israel’s longstanding practice of torturing arbitrarily detained hostages Embassy officials who met with Thiago, separated by glass and unable to communicate freely, noted he had visible marks on his face and significant pain in his shoulder. Eyewitnesses have also confirmed that Saif was subjected to torture and abuse while detained aboard an Israeli military vessel prior to being transferred to Israel. Saif is of Palestinian origin.
The abduction, detention, and abuse of Saif and Thiago is wholly unlawful and puts at risk the international rules-based order and threatens all other vessels sailing in international waters. It is another blatant example of Israel’s disregard for international law and the enduring impunity of Israeli actions due to the continuing enabling by western governments.
While the Spanish and Brazilian governments have demanded the immediate release of Saif and Thiago, and Italy has opened a probe into the detention of activists, the UK has thus far remained silent on the harrowing treatment by Israel of at least two British nationals, including Alice Chapman and Zak Khan, who were reportedly beaten and spat on, enduring severe cold at night and severe heat during the day, the denial of water during the day, and the use of stun grenades by Israeli soldiers to disrupt their sleep.
It is astounding that Israel would be allowed to abduct, detain, and torture foreign nationals after arresting them unlawfully in international waters. It is also unacceptable that Israelcontinues to hold them hostage in Israeli prisons. However, continued inaction from the UK government and others is setting such harrowing precedents. The intentional intimidation of human rights activists by Israel cannot go unchallenged in the face of an illegal blockade of Gaza and enduring Palestinian suffering.
The immediate release of Saif and Thiago from Israeli detention is paramount to the defence of the rule of law, human rights, and international legal norms.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
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Image: Brahim Guedich via Wikimedia Commons