The Israeli Government has confirmed that the Spanish activist Saif abu Keshekarrested this past Wednesday during an assault by Israeli forces in international waters against a Humanitarian flotilla heading to the Gaza Stripis already in the country and in the next few hours will be questioned by the authorities and will receive consular assistance. Accompanying Abu Keshek is another detainee, the Brazilian activist Thiago Ávilaalso detained during the Israeli assault, as reported by the Israeli Foreign Ministry in a message published on social networks, without giving details about the time or place of arrival of both or the place where they will be interrogated.
In its statement, the Hebrew Government again accuses the two of maintaining ties to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas through the organization to which they both belong, the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (CPPE), “designated and sanctioned by the United States as a cover for Hamas.” Israel designates Abu Keshek as one of the “leaders” of the organization while accusing Ávila of “working for the group as a suspect in illegal activities.”
In any case, both will be “transferred” to an unspecified location “to be interrogated by the authorities” and will also receive “a consular visit” with representatives of their respective countries, the Ministry concludes.
Rescue of a dozen crew members
Meanwhile, the Spanish humanitarian organization Open Arms has reported this Saturday that it has rescued 12 activists aboard two ships of the Sumud Global Flotilla that had been adrift in the Mediterranean after their assault in international waters by the Israeli navy. The Open Arms ship, which was participating in the mission to provide logistical, technical and health support, will take the rescued to the port of Kaloi Limeneson the Greek island of Crete.
The flotilla, with 58 ships from different countries, was attacked on Wednesday night by the Israeli army in international waters near Greece when traveling to Gaza. A total of 22 ships were boarded and disabled and some 175 activists traveling on them were detained on an Israeli military ship and later disembarked in Crete. However, while some attacked ships sank, others were left incommunicado with crew on board.
Open Arms has gone to the interception area and has rescued a total of twelve activists in two boats: seven were found on the ship ‘Tam Tam’ and another five on the ‘Trinidad’, as reported by the NGO in a statement. The Open Arms ship with the 12 rescued activists will arrive in Crete expected this Saturday morning.
