Israel Boards Flotilla Boats, Abuses Passengers, Hundreds of Miles From Gaza
By Laurie Gagne, May 2, 2026
On April 29, 22 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla were intercepted by the Israeli navy. Commandos boarded the boats and disabled the engines. Then the 175 crew members were put on board an Israeli prison ship. For the next 40 hours, they were kicked around, denied food and water, stuffed into containers and forced to lie down on a deck that was periodically and deliberately flooded with water.
When a couple of the leaders of the Flotilla, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Avila were separated from the group for transport to Israel, some of the participants resisted–nonviolently. For their efforts, they were beaten, one person suffered a broken nose, another broken ribs.
Instead of being taken to Israel, the Flotilla members were transported to Crete where they were turned over to the Greek authorities. Some of that group accepted an invitation from the Turkish government to be flown to Istanbul. When they landed in Turkey, they were given an extremely warm reception.
In Turkey they are free, of course, and some of them are going home. Others are contemplating a return to the Flotilla. (About 36 boats of the Flotilla were not intercepted by the Israelis and will be heading to Gaza after a lay-over in Crete.)
There is great concern for Saif and Thiago. Lawyers on the ground in Israel have met with them and say they have both been beaten, and that Saif, who is Palestinian, has been tortured.
Saif has Spanish citizenship and his government has spoken out in his defense; Thiago is Brazilian and has also received support from his government. The U.S., not surprisingly, has denounced the Flotilla and warned of “consequences” for any governments who try to assist it.