Two activists who participated in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have been brought to Israel for questioning, the foreign ministry said Saturday, after the vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces.
The flotilla of more than 50 vessels had set sail from ports in France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking an Israeli blockade of Gaza and bringing supplies to the devastated Palestinian territory.
They were intercepted by Israeli forces overnight Wednesday to Thursday.
Israel said it had removed around 175 activists from the flotilla, but organisers accused Israeli personnel of “kidnapping” 211 people.
Two of the activists, Saif Abu Keshek, from Spain, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian, were in Israel and would “be transferred for questioning by law enforcement authorities”, the foreign ministry said on X.
It also said the pair were affiliated with an organisation that was sanctioned in January by the US Treasury.
That group — the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) — has been accused by Washington of “clandestinely acting on behalf of” Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The Treasury said the organisation had played a role in organising other Gaza-bound flotillas aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade.
The United States has backed Israeli authorities over the flotillas, calling the latest one a “stunt”.
Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was a leading member of the PCPA. It said Avila was also linked to the organisation and was “suspected of illegal activity”.
“Both will receive a consular visit from the representatives of their respective countries in Israel,” the ministry said.
