
Humboldt Flotilla Activist Detained by Israel as Global Sumud Flotilla Faces Mediterranean Interception
Four Humboldt County volunteers sailed with the Global Sumud Flotilla toward Gaza. In a nighttime interception off Crete, the Israeli navy seized 22 boats, drawing criticism that the actions violated international maritime law. Humboldt participant Silas Beaver was detained and later released in Turkey after describing being held at gunpoint and witnessing injuries; two steering-committee members, Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek, remain in Israeli custody on hunger strike. Other Humboldt sailors, Sacha Marini and Greg Terry, sheltered in Greek waters as the flotilla presses on. About 180 people were detained with several hospitalized; 47 of the flotilla’s boats remained at sea and 51 were sailing in real time, as protests and international condemnation mounted, with Spain, Turkey, and the UN among those criticizing the interception. The flotilla maintains its humanitarian aim, insisting it is independent of governments and continuing toward Gaza.












