Israel deports two activists detained over Gaza-bound flotilla

Activist Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, who was detained aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, appears at a court in Beersheba, southern Israel May 6, 2026. (Reuters)

This combination of file pictures created on May 9, 2026 shows Spanish activist Saif Abu Keshek (L) and Brazil’s activist Thiago Avila arriving in court, in the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon on May 5, 2026. (AFP)

• Saif Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization
• Thiago Avila was suspected of illegal activity

‌Israel deported two activists, Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Brazilian ​Thiago Avila, on Sunday after arresting them aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, the foreign ministry said.

The activists were part of a second Global Sumud Flotilla launched from Spain on ‌April 12 ‌to try ​to ‌break ⁠Israel’s blockade of ​Gaza ⁠by delivering aid to the enclave.

They were detained by Israeli authorities on April 29 and brought to Israel.

Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was suspected ⁠of affiliation with a terrorist ‌organization and ‌Avila was suspected of illegal ​activity; both ‌denied the allegations, saying they were ‌on a humanitarian mission for Gaza’s civilian population and that their arrest in international waters was unlawful.