Lula demands the release of Thiago Ávila and criticizes the arrest made by Israel

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva demanded this Tuesday (5) the immediate release of Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, arrested by Israel after the interception of the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla, which was heading towards the Gaza Strip.

In a post on social media, Lula classified the maintenance of the prison as an “unjustifiable action” by the Israeli government and stated that the case “must be condemned by everyone”.

“The detention of flotilla activists in international waters had already represented a serious affront to international law,” wrote the president. Lula also stated that Brazil works together with the government of Spain — which also had a citizen detained — to demand security guarantees and the immediate release of the activists.

Maintaining the arrest of Brazilian citizen Thiago Ávila, member of the “Global Sumud” flotilla, is an unjustifiable action by the Israeli government, causes great concern and must be condemned by everyone. The detention of flotilla activists in international waters had already represented…

— Lula (@LulaOficial) May 5, 2026

Thiago Ávila and Palestinian-Spanish Saif Abu Keshek were arrested after Israeli forces intercepted Global Sumud vessels near Greece, in international waters.

The ships had left Barcelona on April 12 with the aim of breaking the blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian aid.

More than 100 activists were taken to the Greek island of Crete, while the two remained in Israeli custody.

This Tuesday, the Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court extended the activists’ pre-trial detention until Sunday (10).

According to court documents, Israel accuses the two of crimes such as aiding the enemy, contacting a terrorist organization and providing resources to groups considered hostile by the Israeli government.

The defense, led by the Adalah organization, claims that no formal accusation was filed and maintains that the detention only serves to prolong interrogations.

Adalah also states that Ávila and Abu Keshek have been on hunger strike since last Thursday (30) and denounces that both remain in isolation.

The case provoked a reaction from Itamaraty, which had already classified the interception of the flotilla as a “blatantly illegal” action and a violation of international law. Also this Tuesday, the death of Teresa Regina de Ávila, mother of the Brazilian activist, was confirmed while he remains detained in Israel.