Israeli Court Extends Flotilla Activists' Detention

An Israeli court on Sunday extended by two days the detention of two activists arrested from a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near Greece, according to their lawyer and a court spokesperson.

Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian, were detained late Wednesday and brought to Israel for questioning. More than 100 other activists aboard the vessels were taken to the Greek island of Crete. The Ashkelon Magistrates Court approved the extension until May 5, granting Israeli authorities' request for further interrogation on suspicions including assisting the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, membership in or providing services to a terrorist organization, and transferring property to such a group.

The pair were part of the second Global Sumud flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona on April 12 carrying humanitarian aid in an effort to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. No formal charges have been filed. Their attorney, Hadeel Abu Salih, argued the arrest lacked jurisdiction because it occurred in international waters. "Their arrest was unlawful due to a lack of jurisdiction," she said after...