ALBAWABA - Israel has deported two pro-Palestinian activists taken off by the Israeli army from a Gaza-bound flotilla, the Israeli foreign ministry announced on Sunday.
Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian citizen Thiago Avila were among other activists aboard a flotilla intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters off the coast of Greece on April 30.
Abu Keshek and Avila were forcibly taken by Israeli forces to Asheklon for questioning, and their detention was extended, while the others were taken to the Greek island of Crete and released.
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. Photo by ILIA YEFIMOVICH / AFP
"Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, from the provocation flotilla, were deported today from Israel," following an investigation, the ministry revealed via X on Sunday.
Israel would "not allow any breach" of the blockade on Gaza, it mentioned.
When Israel took activists from the flotilla, Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez pointed out three messages for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing that Spain will protect its citizens and defend international law. In addition, he called on Israel to free "the Spanish citizen kidnapped on the flotilla."
