Family asks that Brazilian be released for the wake; Ashkelon court extended detention until May 11
This Tuesday (May 5, 2026), Teresa Regina de Ávila e Silva, mother of Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, died. She was also the mother of Luana de Ávila, who holds the position of vice-president of the (Civil Police Union of the Federal District). So far, the cause of death has not been made public and there are still no details about the place and time of the burial.
Sinpol-DF issued a note of condolence in the highlighting that Teresa’s career was marked by dignity and care for her family. In light of her mother’s death, Luana de Ávila made a public appeal on social media for her brother to be released by the Israeli authorities in time to participate in the wake.
DETENTION AND FLOTILLE
Brazilian Thiago Ávila and Spanish citizen Saif Abu Keshek were detained on April 29 by Israeli forces. They were participating in the 2nd Global Sumud Flotilla, an initiative that left Barcelona on April 12 with the aim of delivering supplies and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, defying the blockade imposed in the region.
The vessel the activists were on was intercepted in international waters, near Greece. While around 100 flotilla participants were sent to the island of Crete, Ávila and Keshek ended up taken to Israeli territory under custody.
EXTENSION OF PRISON
Although the initial forecast was that the detention would end this Tuesday (May 5), the Ashkelon Magistrates Court decided until next Sunday (May 11).
The defenders of activists and family members are now seeking diplomatic and judicial dialogue to ensure that Thiago Ávila can return to Brazil for humanitarian reasons after the death of his mother.
The president (PT) of Thiago Ávila. He wrote in X that the arrest is “unjustifiable” and that, together with Spain, he is working to ensure that they are immediately released. The Brazilian government is following the case through its consular channels.
