By Freddie Ponton, 21st Century Wire, May 6, 2026

On the night of April 29 to 30, Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters west of Crete, seizing a civilian aid convoy hundreds of miles from Gaza and funnelling 176 activists into a tightly managed transfer operation on Greek soil, where 31 wounded required first aid.

But the episode did not end in Crete. While most passengers were offloaded into Greek custody and dispersal, two organizers, Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish-Swedish activist of Palestinian origin and Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist, were abducted and forcibly transferred to Israel against their will, brought before the Ashkelon Magistrates’ Court, and held in Shikma Prison in Ashkelon, where lawyers say their detention was extended and abuse allegations emerged.

MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2 May 2026

The Palestine Solidarity Alliance condemns in the strongest possible terms the unlawful abduction, detention and reported torture of Global Sumud Flotilla activists Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek by Israeli forces. The two activists were seized in international waters near Crete, Greece, on 30 April while participating in a humanitarian mission aimed at challenging the siege of Gaza and affirming the right of Palestinians to life, dignity and freedom.