Israeli justice decided on Sunday to extend the detention of two activists arrested off the coast of Greece while participating in a Gaza flotilla operation. They are a Spanish national and a Brazilian, both accused by the Israeli state of assisting and belonging to a terrorist organization. According to their lawyer, this new six-day extension constitutes an attempt to pressure activists engaged in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave. The two men, who firmly deny any affiliation with Hamas, therefore remain incarcerated until at least Sunday.
Madrid disputes the accusations
The accusations made by Israel have sparked strong international protest. Madrid notably denounced the complete lack of evidence establishing a link between its national and the Palestinian movement in power in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez demanded explanations and the immediate release of his compatriot. This case revives diplomatic tensions around the issue of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, which international organizations consider insufficient since the beginning of the conflict.
Strict control of maritime aid
The interception of this flotilla is part of an Israeli strategy of strict control over maritime supply attempts to Gaza. Authorities claim to act to prevent any infiltration of military equipment or support to Hamas. Defenders of these maritime convoys denounce an illegal blockade that hinders civilian populations’ access to essential goods. The Israeli court will have to rule on Sunday on a possible new extension of the detention or on the release of the two activists.
