This is a message to Ambassador Nir-Feldklein and Ambassador Rosenzweig-Abu
We are a delegation of Members of the European Parliament. We are here today to demand the immediate release of Thiago Avila and Saif Abu Keshek, currently detained in Israeli prisons in blatant disregard of basic rule of law principles and human dignity.
Last week, Saif and Thiago were sailing close to Greek waters, together with all the activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla and the Thousand Madleens. On Wednesday night, they were assaulted and kidnapped by the Israeli army in international waters.
This attack, conducted in international waters, constitutes a flagrant violation of the principle of freedom of navigation and shall be considered as an act of piracy. After the attack, Thiago and Saif were transferred to Israel with no legal grounds, and detained in inhumane conditions in windowless cells.
What happened to the flotilla and its activists is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern of repression against peaceful civilian action. A humanitarian mission, composed of unarmed international activists. This was not law enforcement, it was an act of intimidation meant to silence dissent and deter solidarity. The activists were forcibly detained, transferred without legal justification, and reportedly subjected to degrading and violent treatment. Such actions undermine the very foundations of international law, from the protection of civilians to the respect for human dignity and due process.
Last Sunday, the two activists appeared before an Israeli court, which extended their detention period. They appeared covered in bruises, evidence of the violence they suffered in their cells. Today, they faced the court once again for yet another extension of their detention period. As far as we know at the moment, their detention has been extended until next Sunday.
We, as public servants and elected officials committed to international justice and rule of law, cannot accept these blatant violations perpetrated by the State of Israel and will not remain silent.
This is why we are here, and this is the simple and direct message we want you to convey to your national authorities: release Thiago Avila and Saif Abu Keshek IMMEDIATELY. Some of us took part in Flotilla missions in the past. We know how Israeli jails are, we know how you deal with international activists: that is why we know that talking from the EU Parliament is not enough, that is why we decided to come here today and address this message directly with our bodies.
FREE SAIF
FREE THIAGO
WE STAND WITH THE FLOTILLA
FREE PALESTINE
MEPs Benedetta Scuderi, Cecilia Strada, Lynn Boylan, Ana Miranda, Sandro Ruotolo, Melissa Camera, Maria Ohisalo, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Saskia Bricmont, Leoluca Orlando, Hanna Gedin, Annalisa Corrado, Joao Oliveira, Cristina Guarda, Mimmo Lucano, Carolina Morace, Brando Benifei, Irena Joveva, Matias Nemec, Catarina Vieira, Catarina Martins, Rima Hassan
