Israeli prison guards assault black US activist kidnapped from aid ship Handala
An American humanitarian activist aboard the Gaza-bound Handala aid ship was assaulted by Israeli forces after being kidnapped and taken to the regime’s prison, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) says.
The aid ship, led by the FFC, was violently seized by Israeli forces in international waters and towed to the occupied port of Ashdod on Sunday. The regime’s forces kidnapped all 21 international crew members.
In a post on X, the coalition said that US human rights defender Chris Smalls “was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals” when he was taken to Israel’s Givon Prison.
“They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back,” it said.
According to the FFC, when his lawyer met with him, “Chris was surrounded by six members of Israel’s special police unit.”
The coalition called on Israel to ensure "accountability for the assault and discriminatory treatment he faced.”
When he reached the Israeli prison, U.S. human rights defender Chris Smalls was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals. They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back.
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) July 29, 2025
When his lawyer met with him, Chris was… pic.twitter.com/tzHJ8cyX8K
The California Faculty Association, an anti-racism, social justice union, also called on Israel to immediately release Smalls and all those "illegally and unjustly kidnapped" by Israeli forces.
The union demanded that the Israeli regime immediately end “the engineered famine and deliberate starving of the people in Gaza.”
The Handala, a refurbished fishing boat, had been en route from Malmö, Sweden, to break Israel’s deadly blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid—including baby formula, nappies, food, and medicine—to Palestinian residents.
The boat was roughly 100 km west of the besieged territory when Israeli forces “violently intercepted” it and boarded the vessel.
Among the crew were two French parliamentarians, Gabrielle Cathala and Emma Fourreau, as well as other activists and journalists.
Fifteen activists—including nationals from Australia, France, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Norway, the UK, and the US—refused to sign deportation orders and remain in Israeli custody pending a tribunal hearing.
The family of Australian activist Robert Martin, who is in the regime’s custody, said they were “really worried” and fear for his health and safety.
His daughter, Sarah Martin, said she was concerned her father did not have access to the medications he needed.
“He’s got arthritis medication and other medication that he needs,” she said. “We know that they took it off him, and we don’t know if he’s got it back.”
The last boat sent by the Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was also captured by Israeli forces in international waters on June 9 and towed to the port of Ashdod. The 12 activists onboard were also abducted in international waters and taken to the occupied lands last month.
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