PALESTINE

Freedom for Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila. No more repression against the Global Sumud Flotilla

May 08, 2026
Freedom for Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila. No more repression against the Global Sumud Flotilla
The trade unions signing this statement condemn Israel’s attacks against the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, which we consider acts of extreme gravity that violate human rights and international law. At the same time, we condemn the detention of the Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila and the Catalan activist of Palestinian origin, Saif Abukeshek.

Saif Abukeshek is a member of Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya, an activist, trade unionist, and one of the most committed and consistent voices denouncing the genocide, occupation, and apartheid imposed by the State of Israel against the Palestinian population. He is also an active member of the European Trade Union Network for Justice in Palestine. Thiago Ávila, for his part, is one of the most visible faces of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Through this statement, we denounce that Saif and Thiago have been detained and transferred to Israel, and that since their detention both individuals have been mistreated.

Contrary to Israel’s accusations, they are not criminals; they are simply solidarity activists who departed from Barcelona on April 12 with the aim of opening a humanitarian corridor to Gaza and denouncing the criminal blockade imposed by the State of Israel.

Given the critical situation they are facing, and the seriousness of the accusations against them by Israel, the undersigned trade unions demand their immediate release and their right to return home as soon as possible. We call on the relevant institutions to do everything within their power to ensure that both Saif and Thiago are released.

Finally, the undersigned trade unions wish to make the following clear to public opinion:

• We demand the immediate release of Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila and that their rights and physical integrity be guaranteed.
• An end to the persecution of the activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
• An end to the criminal blockade on Gaza.
• An end to all complicity with Israel’s war strategy.
• An end to the occupation and colonization, and recognition of Palestine’s right to have its own internationally recognized state.

CIG • CCOO • CGT • Confederación Intersindical • CNT • COS • CSI Asturies • CUT Aragón • CUT Galiza • ELA • ESK • Federación Sindical Canaria • FSOC • IAC • Intersindical, Alternativa SOC • Intersindical Canaria (Tenerife) • Intersindical Catalana • Intersindical Valenciana • LAB • MTC Canarias • OSTA • SAT • Sindicato Gremios Unidos (Canarias) • SOA • Solidaridad Obrera • STEI • STEILAS • UGT