Israel will release Brazilian activist Thiago Avila and another Gaza flotilla leader from jail and hand them over to immigration authorities for deportation, the group representing them said Saturday.
The Israeli Navy intercepted their boats — which had condoms and drugs on board — April 29 near the Greek island of Crete, as the flotilla was making its way towards Gaza to break the blockade on humanitarian aid.
Avila, who’s been accused of sexual misconduct on the boat but cleared by an internal investigation, was taken to Israel and into custody, along with Saif Abu Keshek, a Palestinian-Spanish activist.
The pair “will be handed to Israel’s immigration authorities later today and kept in custody pending their deportation,” rights group Adalah said.
Israeli authorities have not yet commented on any release.
Earlier this week Avila’s lawyer claimed the Brazilian activist — who had been documenting his journey on Instagram — never planned to break the Gaza blockade but rather had been on an innocent fishing journey to Greece, according to the Times of Israel.
“Squad” Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) had demanded the activists’ release in a letter sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, and signed by the rest of her lefty comrades, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
“We are outraged that instead of speaking out and taking action to ensure the safety and immediate release of the at least 14 US citizens illegally abducted by the Israeli military, the Department of State went out of its way to issue a formal condemnation of their humanitarian efforts,” it said.
