Brazilian activist Thiago Avila returned to Brazil late Monday (11 May) after being deported from Israel. He alleges he was tortured and mistreated during 10 days in detention following the interception of a pro-Palestinian aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza.
Avila and Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek were detained after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Crete last week as it attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to the Strip and challenge Israel’s naval blockade.
The flotilla, consisting of 22 boats carrying around 175 activists, had departed Spain on 12 April.
While more than 100 activists were taken back to Crete and released, Avila and Abu Keshek were transferred to Israel and held on suspicion of offences including aiding the enemy and contact with a terrorist organisation.
Both men denied the accusations.
“My return was simply a correction of a serious violation. I was kidnapped by Israel, I wasn’t imprisoned,” Avila told reporters after arriving at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport.
Avila claimed he and Abu Keshek endured “all kinds of violations” while in custody and said Palestinian detainees held nearby faced even harsher treatment.
Rights group Adalah, which represented the two activists in Israeli court proceedings, alleged the pair were subjected to psychological abuse during detention in Ashkelon.
Allegations include prolonged interrogations, constant bright lighting, isolation and blindfolded transfers, including during medical examinations.
The activists also staged a hunger strike during their detention, while Adalah said Abu Keshek additionally refused water from 5 May.
Israeli authorities rejected the allegations, saying all actions taken were lawful and in accordance with detention procedures.
In a statement posted on X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the investigation into the activists had concluded and confirmed they had been deported.
The governments of Brazil and Spain, along with the United Nations, criticised the detention and called for the activists’ release.
Hadeel Abu Salih, a lawyer for Adalah, described the detention as “a sham proceeding with no legal basis”, arguing that the transfer of the activists to Israel violated international law.
The Global Sumud Flotilla accused European governments, particularly Greece, of remaining silent during the incident and demanded sanctions against Israel.
The case has added to growing international scrutiny over Israel’s blockade of Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian access to the Palestinian territory.
Humanitarian agencies and the United Nations say conditions in Gaza remain severe despite a ceasefire agreed six months ago, warning that aid deliveries continue to fall short of needs.
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