Adalah defends the rights of Palestinians through legal advocacy and strategic litigation in Israel and the occupied territories.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila, detained after the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted in international waters, are expected to be released to their home countries in the coming days as rights groups monitor the process.
Two foreign activists detained after interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla have appeared before an Israeli court in Ashkelon. The group says the detainees were subjected to alleged brutality during seizure and transport, while Israel cites links to a sanctioned group and possible illegal activity. The case follows a broader international dispute over Gaza aid shipments and maritime blockade actions.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Ávila have appeared at Ashkelon Magistrates’ Court for a second hearing after being brought to Israel for questioning following the Gaza-bound flotilla interception. Detention has been extended while police interrogate suspects; Adalah argues abuses in detention.
Two activists, Brazilian Thiago Avila and Spanish-Palestinian Saif Abukeshek, have been released from Israeli detention after a hunger strike and are slated for deportation. Israel has said they were detained following the Global Sumud Flotilla’s attempt to break Gaza’s blockade; rights groups say their detention has been unlawful while await deportation.
Israel has enacted a law to establish a special military tribunal to try Palestinians accused of taking part in the Hamas-led October 7 attacks. The court could hand down the death penalty and will conduct public trials, with processes that rights groups warn may undermine due process. Trials are expected to cover hundreds of suspects and cost billions.
Israel has approved new legislation to try Oct. 7 attackers in a special military court, with a livestreamed tribunal, three-judge panels, and possible death sentences for genocide or related crimes. The law expands to include others charged with crimes against the Jewish people, war crimes and crimes against humanity, and bars prisoner exchanges for those convicted. Trials will be public, with remotely participating defendants and an appeals process.
More than 50 vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla have been intercepted by Israeli forces off Crete and Marmaris while attempting to reach Gaza. Activists are detained or deported; the flotilla still aims to highlight aid shortfalls amid the Gaza war and a fragile ceasefire.
Israel has intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters and detained about 430 activists. National security minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir has posted footage showing bound activists kneeling while he taunts them; the video has provoked condemnation from multiple governments, Israeli ministers and rights groups, and rapid deportations of the detainees.