UN demands Israel release Gaza flotilla activists, investigate abuse claims

Israel must ‘immediately and unconditionally’ release Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago de Avila, UN rights office spokesperson says.The United Nations has called for the immediate release of two Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla activists abducted by Israeli authorities last week, calling for an investigation into the “disturbing accounts of severe mistreatment”.Israel must “immediately and unconditionally” release activists Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago de Avila, where they continue to be held without charge, UN rights office spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan said in a statement on Wednesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Israel extends detention of Gaza flotilla activists, lawyers saylist 2 of 4Who are the two Gaza flotilla activists abducted by Israel?list 3 of 4Palestine weekly wrap: Israeli security agencies sound alarm on settlerslist 4 of 4What to know about Israeli President Herzog’s trip to Central America?end of listThe Spanish and Brazilian nationals were among dozens of activists who had set sail for Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Greece on April 30.Flotilla organisers say that among about 180 activists, just these two were taken to Israel, where they remain in jail.“It is not a crime to show solidarity and attempt to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza, who are in dire need of it,” said al-Kheetan. “Disturbing accounts of severe mistreatment of Abu Keshek and Avila must be investigated, and those responsible must be brought to justice.”An Israeli court on Tuesday extended the activists’ imprisonment until May 10. They are on a hunger strike, drinking only water, since they were abducted last Thursday, organisers said.No charges have been filed against the two men but they face several accusations, including affiliation with a “terrorist organisation and contact with foreign agents,” Adalah, the Israeli rights group representing them, previously told Al Jazeera.