Brazilian Activist Claims Torture in Israeli Detention, Sparks International Outcry

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila has returned to Sao Paulo after being detained and deported from Israel, where he alleges he was tortured and witnessed abuses of Palestinian prisoners during his ten-day custody. Avila, along with Spanish national Abu Keshek, was part of the second Global Sumud Flotilla that aimed to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering aid. The two men were arrested after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla, while other pro-Palestinian activists were taken to Crete. Avila and Keshek were held on suspicion of offenses including aiding the enemy and contact with a terrorist group, charges they both denied. They were released on Saturday and handed over to immigration authorities for deportation. Avila stated that his return was a correction of a serious violation, claiming he was kidnapped by Israel. He alleged that he and Keshek suffered various violations during their detention, and that Palestinian prisoners experienced worse treatment. Israel has dismissed claims made by human rights groups that the men were tortured, asserting that all measures were lawful. The governments of Spain and Brazil have declared the detention unlawful. Avila expressed his views, calling for actions against Israeli and US leaders. Gaza is largely governed by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist group by Israel and many Western nations. The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel initiated the Gaza war, leaving much of the population homeless and reliant on aid