Israeli court extends detention of Gaza flotilla activists amid diplomatic backlash

An Israeli court extended the detention of two activists seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla, turning a maritime confrontation near Greece into a new diplomatic fight over what activists can do in international waters and how far Israel can police its blockade of Gaza.

The remand of Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Brazilian Thiago Avila was extended until May 5, after they were brought to Israel following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Israeli forces stopped 22 vessels in international waters near Crete, and activists said about 175 people were affected. Most of the detained passengers were taken to Crete and were expected to be repatriated through Greece, according to Greek authorities and accounts from the scene.

Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization and that Avila was accused of illegal activity. Those claims set up the legal gray zone at the center of the case: supporters of the flotilla say the activists were seized far from Gaza, while Israel argues the operation was part of enforcing security restrictions around the territory. A court spokesperson confirmed the two-day extension, ensuring the dispute stays in custody proceedings rather than ending with the interception itself.

Spain and Brazil escalated the diplomatic fallout with a joint statement condemning what they described as the illegal detention of their citizens. Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said Abu Keshek had been “illegally” arrested and demanded his immediate release. Amnesty International also denounced the interception as unlawful and said around 175 people were arbitrarily detained, putting the case squarely in a human-rights frame as well as a security one.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said its mission departed from Barcelona on April 12 as a civilian-led effort to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. Organizers described it as one of the largest civilian maritime mobilizations for Gaza, saying the broader campaign included more than 80 boats and over 1,000 participants. With the court extension now in place, the fight over the flotilla has moved beyond the waterline and into courts, foreign ministries and the contested law of interception at sea.