JERUSALEM: Israel is set to release two foreign pro-Palestinian activists on Saturday, after they were captured from a Gaza-bound solidarity flotilla last week.
The two men will be handed over to Israeli immigration authorities and face immediate deportation, according to Adalah, a legal rights group representing them.
In a statement, Adalah said, “Today, the Shabak Israeli intelligence agency informed Adalah’s legal team that Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activists and leaders Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek would be released from Israeli detention today.” The group added that the pair “will be handed to Israel’s immigration authorities later today and kept in custody pending their deportation.”
The activists—Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila—were among several participants aboard a vessel attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Their flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters off the coast of Greece, after which the two were detained and brought to Israel for questioning.
Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas. However, human rights groups and international legal bodies have repeatedly criticised the blockade as collective punishment against Gaza’s two million residents.
Activists have organised several flotillas since 2010, when Israeli forces raided a similar convoy—the Mavi Marmara—resulting in the deaths of 10 Turkish activists.
The release and deportation of Avila and Abu Keshek follow international calls for their immediate freedom. Neither Spain nor Brazil has officially commented on the case, though diplomatic sources indicate consular access was granted earlier this week.
