Occupied Palestine (QNN)- Spain and Brazil on Saturday called on Israel to release two of their nationals who were kidnapped by Israeli forces after intercepting Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla boats last week. The two remain in Israeli custody after all other activists involved in the flotilla were brutalized and released.
Unlike other flotilla participants who were transferred to Greece after the Israeli forces raided and seized vessels on Thursday, Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian national Thiago Ávila remained detained aboard an Israeli navy ship in Greek territorial waters and were subsequently taken to Israel, Israel's Foreign Ministry said.
"This is an unlawful detention in international waters outside the jurisdiction of the Israeli authorities," Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told Spanish broadcaster RAC1.
When asked whether Saif Abu Keshek's transfer to Israel constituted kidnapping, Albares replied, "If this is carried out by authorities that have no legal jurisdiction whatsoever, then yes, definitely."
In all, 22 boats and 175 activists were intercepted by the Israeli naval forces. Activists said Israeli forces raided their vessels, smashed engines and abducted some of those on board. The attack occurred hundreds of miles (kilometers) from Gaza and Israel overnight into Thursday.
In a joint statement on Friday, the governments of Brazil and Spain condemned "the abduction of two of their nationals in international waters by the Government of Israel."
"This blatantly illegal action by the Israeli authorities, outside their jurisdiction, constitutes an affront to international law, is subject to adjudication before international courts, and amounts to a criminal offense under our respective jurisdictions," the statement added.
The governments of both nations demanded the immediate return of their citizens and immediate consular access.
Israel's Foreign Ministry said that both activists would "receive a consular visit from the representatives of their respective countries in Israel."
The ministry falsely accused Abu Keshek and Ávila of illegally working with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, which the United States claims it operates at the behest of Hamas.
However, the Spanish diplomat insisted that “Israel has not put on the table any evidence about Abukeshek’s relationship with Hamas”.
The Global Sumud Flotilla appealed for international support to pressure Israel to release the activists.
The group said, citing the Brazilian embassy, that Avila had "reported being subjected to torture, beatings, and mistreatment."
"During a monitored visit in which he was separated by glass and unable to communicate freely, embassy officials observed visible marks on his face. He reported significant pain, particularly in his shoulder," a statement by the flotilla read.
"Despite being examined by a doctor, adequate medical care was not provided. The embassy is now insisting on immediate and appropriate treatment."
The Adalah legal centre visited the two in Shikma Prison in Israel on Saturday and said, “The harrowing testimonies provided by both activists reveal physical violence and being held for prolonged periods in stress positions by Israeli military forces during the past two days they have spent at sea.”
Abukeshek “reported being kept hand-tied and blindfolded, and being forced to lie face-down on the floor from the moment of his seizure until this morning, resulting in bruising to his face and hands”, it said.
“Avila reported being subjected to extreme brutality by the Israeli military during the seizure of the vessels,” it added, including being “dragged face-down across the floor and beaten so severely that he passed out twice”.
Both Thiago and Saif have declared a hunger strike, although they are continuing to drink water.
They are scheduled to appear before a court on Sunday for a hearing to extend their detention. The two will be represented in the proceedings by the human rights group Adalah – the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel.
The flotilla said AbuKeshek never intended to go to Gaza as he was on “an observer boat which was never intended to go to Gaza.”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez delivered a message to ICC-wanted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech on Friday, saying that Spain would always protect its citizens and defend international law.
“We demand the release of the Spanish citizen who has been unlawfully detained by [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s government,” he said.
Israel’s actions have prompted protests and condemnation from rights groups and governments. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it an “act of piracy”.
When Israeli forces proceeded to detain Abu Keshek and Ávila, the group resisted. Flotilla organizers described how participants were then "punched, kicked and dragged across the deck with their hands bound behind their backs. They suffered broken noses, cracked ribs and bloody beatings. Shots were even fired at them in the chaos."
“Given Israel’s record of torture, we fear for their safety. Both Saif and Thiago are on hunger strike in protest of their illegal abduction and torture,” the flotilla confirmed on Saturday.
Some 34 people, including citizens of the United States, Australia, Colombia, Italy, and Ukraine were wounded and taken to the hospital upon their return to Greece, organizers said.
Around 30 vessels from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla entered the port of Ierapetra in southeastern Crete following the Israeli military attack.
Organizers said the flotilla was regrouping and would continue its course "to break the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip."
