La Piccirella, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, arrived at Fiumicino airport this week following his detention. His return comes in the wake of a dramatic naval operation between April 29 and 30, where Israeli naval forces intercepted 21 vessels headed for Gaza in international waters south of Crete.
“The price of freedom is never too high.” These were the words passed from Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek for his son to his Italian colleague, Antonio “Tony” La Piccirella, shortly before they were separated by Israeli forces in international waters.
A “Kidnapping” in European waters
The activist provided an account of the interception. He also described the Mediterranean as being under heavy surveillance with no-one acting to intervene during the seizure.
“It was a kidnapping in practically European waters, supervised by the Greek navy,” La Piccirella stated. “The Mediterranean is full of military drones; everyone was aware of what was happening and no one did anything. We escaped for six hours, calling for help and sending out SOS signals.”
La Piccirella described the conditions aboard the military cargo ship where the activists were held as dire, claiming they were “crammed together” with water entering the vessel while being held at gunpoint.
Despite the ordeal, La Piccirella signaled that the movement has no intention of stopping. He criticised the Italian government’s stance, calling for a “backbone” to end current agreements with Israel.
“We continue: we are reorganising,” he said. “It is the natural consequence of what happens when you support militarily, politically, and economically a country that has never had any problem stealing land and oil.”
He also took aim at domestic leadership, accusing the President and Foreign Minister of distorting reality regarding the safety and treatment of Italian citizens abroad.
Legal battle intensifies for detained activists
While La Piccirella has returned to Italy, the legal situation for his companions remains critical. Israeli authorities have extended the detention of Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek for an additional two days.
The Israeli human rights NGO Adalah has raised alarms regarding the treatment of the detainees. Lawyers Hadeel Abu Salih and Lubna Tuma argued in court that the proceedings lack a legal basis, as the arrests occurred in international waters.
Adalah reports that the activists testified to severe physical abuse amounting to torture, including beatings and being blindfolded for several days. Both Avila and Abukeshek are currently on a hunger strike to protest their detention. Footage from the hearing showed the activists in shackles, with Avila’s hands cuffed behind his back.
Israeli prosecutors are seeking to build a case involving several high-level security offenses, including: assisting the enemy in wartime; contacting a foreign agent; membership of a terrorist organisation.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has categorically denied the torture allegations, labeling them “false and unfounded.” In an official statement, the ministry claimed that force was only used to “quell violence” after some passengers reportedly refused to be transferred to Greek forces and engaged in “violent physical confrontation” with Israeli crew members.
As the two-day extension nears its end, the activists remain at the Shikma detention center, with no formal charges yet filed.
