Israeli Court Extends Detention of Flotilla Activists, Including Two Australians

An Israeli court has extended the detention of a group of activists, including two Australians, seized by the nation's military off the coast of Gaza. Human rights activists Robert Martin and Tan Safi were among 21 people on board the Handala when it was stopped by the Israeli navy while en route to Gaza on Sunday. Two of the crew were dual Israeli-US citizens who were interrogated and released. Five agreed to an expedited deportation and were deported. The other 14 people, including the two Australians, remain in Givon prison in Ramle, Israel.

On Monday, Israel's Detention Review Tribunal ruled they should remain in custody until the deportation process was finalised. The group on the boat included activists, lawyers, two members of the European parliament and two journalists for the Qatar-based network Al Jazeera, which is banned in Israel. Activists on the Handala say they were transporting humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

Lawyers for the group say Israel's seizure of the boat and detention of the crew is illegal, arguing the boat had been in international waters at the time it was stopped and the blockade on aid entering Gaza is illegal under international law. Australians Tan Safi and Robert Martin are among those in Israeli detention.

The lawyers said the group should be allowed to reboard their boat and sail to Gaza. Israel says attempts to breach blockade 'dangerous, unlawful'. The Handala is the second activist boat from the group the 'Freedom Flotilla Coalition' to be intercepted by the Israeli navy in recent months while attempting to reach Gaza.

According to the source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.