Israeli forces have abducted over 500 peace activists over the past week who were sailing to Gaza in an effort to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged territory. Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla say most of the participants were sent to Ktzi’ot Prison, notorious for harsh and abusive conditions. Some have reported physical abuse, humiliation and inhumane treatment by Israeli soldiers.
Jewish American activist David Adler, co-general coordinator of the Progressive International, says he faced additional abuse because of his background.
“They reached down and saw my passport, which had my full name, David Rashi Kremen Adler, and asked if I was Jewish. I said I was Jewish. They ripped me by the ear and forced me to bend down and stare at the flag of the state of Israel,” says Adler, who also describes being confronted in prison by the far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called Adler a “terrorist.”
