'Aparthied Israel': UN rapporteur calls for release of Gaza flotilla activists

<article data-history-node-id="439470" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/aparthied-israel-un-rapporteur-calls-release-gaza-flotilla-activists" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/aparthied-israel-un-rapporteur-calls-release-gaza-flotilla-activists" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">'Aparthied Israel': UN rapporteur calls for release of Gaza flotilla activists</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, condemned Israel over the interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, calling for the release of two activists.</p> <p>In a post on X, she wrote: “It is an abomination that Apartheid Israel, while continuing its genocide undisturbed, is allowed to patrol European waters, seize boats, kidnap people. Hostage taking is a crime."</p> <p>Palestinian and Global Sumud Flotilla hostages must be released now, she said.&nbsp;</p> <p>The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces on the high seas on 1 May. Albanese identified the detained activists as Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Avila, who were taken to Israel, while other participants were released in Crete. Their court hearing is scheduled for Sunday.</p> </div> </div> </article>