ATHENS — All but two pro-Palestinian activists detained by Israeli forces after their flotilla headed for Gaza was intercepted in international waters have now been released in Greece.
On Thursday, around 175 activists aboard 22 ships bound for Gaza carrying aid were taken to Crete after Israeli forces seized the boats in international waters near the Greek island.
The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) denounced the action as “piracy”, saying members were seized unlawfully more than 965km (600 miles) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli naval blockade.
All the detained activists have disembarked in Crete, apart from two men who are being brought to Israel “for questioning”, according to the Israeli government.
Israel’s foreign ministry said that one of the men, Saif Abu Keshek, was “suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization” and the other, Thiago Ávila, was “suspected of illegal activity”. Both men remain in Israeli custody.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) called for the immediate release of Abu Keshek and Ávila. The group said: “We demand that all governments do all they can to pressure the Israeli regime to release all the illegal abductees.”
It confirmed that all other members of the captured flotilla boats had been released on the Greek island of Crete.
Israel said about 175 people had been detained, while the GSF previously said “over 180 civilians from around the world have been directly attacked”.
Greek authorities had been preparing to receive people from the flotilla since the early hours of Friday morning.
The group — men and women of various nationalities, including some Greeks and Australians — is being transported by naval vessel to the southern coast of Crete, where they are expected to arrive at Atherinolakkos. Buses are waiting to take them onward.
According to sources who spoke to the BBC, their final destination is Heraklion, where they are expected to be temporarily accommodated before arrangements are made for their return to their home countries.
On Thursday, the Greek foreign ministry said it had offered “diplomatic assistance” by agreeing to host the passengers and ensure their safe return home.
The United States backed Israel’s decision to intercept the boats, with State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott calling the aid flotilla a “meaningless political stunt”.
The flotilla set sail two weeks ago, with a total of 58 vessels joining from Spain, France and Italy, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The remaining 36 boats were close to Crete’s southern coast on Friday.
The GSF said that Israeli naval forces had “intercepted, boarded, and systematically disabled and destroyed various boats” in the flotilla during a “violent raid in international waters” north-west of Crete on Thursday.
Source: Saudi Gazette