SoCal activist with Gaza flotilla is sent to Israeli prison

Last week, David Adler published what he said was his final communication aboard a boat sailing to Gaza carrying medical supplies, food and other help.

The South Californian wrote that the previous night, several Israeli naval ships had “threatened” the convoy of some 40 boats.

“They attacked our ships, intimidated our crew and disabled our communications,” he said in the post of October 1.

Shortly after, his regular messages to his parents, who live in the district of San Fernando Valley d’Encino, and to his sister and his older brother.

The 33-year-old co-founder of the international progressive left-handed political organization was part of more than 450 peace activists, medical workers and other volunteers on the convoy known as Flotilla Gaza Sumud who was detained at the end of last week after the Israeli Naval Forces intercepted boats in international waters.

Her family said that she had not been able to reach him since October 1, but learned one day later that he had been taken to Ashdod, an important freight port in Israel, then transferred to Ketziot prison in the Negev desert.

“I couldn’t talk to him, I don’t know what form he is in He, and it really scares me,” said Ruth Kremen, the mother of Adler.

A group of Democrats from California urged the State Department on Monday in a letter to facilitate the release of several Californians and other American citizens.

“The United States has the obligation to protect its citizens abroad and must act immediately,” they said in the letter, which was signed by 24 Congress representatives and other officials and sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “We call you to work for [their] Immediate and safe release, including the provision of the logistics of an aircraft to ensure their rapid recovery. »»

In recent days, hundreds of activists from the flotilla who have been detained, including an eminent Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have been expelled from Israel and advanced to Athens. But only a few American participants were released, with 21 remaining in police custody on Monday, according to the letter.

In addition to Adler, detained people included three other Californians: the Internet fame Tommy Marcus, which is based in the Los Angeles region; Geraldine Ramirez, by Cathedral City in the Coachella valley; And Logan Hollarsmith, from San Francisco.

California representative Ro Khanna (D-Fremont), who was one of the signatories of the letter, said to the Times that he had heard that the Americans would be released the next day. But without clear provisions of the US State Department, they could be transported by land to neighboring Jordan, even if other countries have made arrangements to bring their citizens back to home, he said.

“What I heard from families is frustration,” said Khanna. “This is a priority for the California delegation – to ensure that our voters have returned safely. And we put pressure on Israel to do this. ”

The American State Department did not respond to a request for comments from the Times, but declared in declarations to other media that he made his “commitment to helping American citizens seriously and [is] Situation surveillance. »»

“The flotilla is a deliberate and unnecessary provocation. We are currently focusing on the realization of President Trump’s plan to end the war, which has been universally welcomed as a historic opportunity for lasting peace,” said the State Department.

The basic vessels of Gaza Sumud Flotilla sated in Barcelona, ​​Spain, more than a month ago with volunteers from dozens of countries to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.

The siege of two years of Israel on the earth band has killed more than 60,000 people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Israel’s bombing campaign and its several months’ blockade have sparked famine in Gaza, according to the authorities, and obtained accusations of a commission of inquiry in the United Nations and international legal organizations that the American ally proceeds to a genocide. Israel rejected the complaint as “distorted and false” and affirms that the attack of October 7, 2023 led by Hamas which sparked the War of Israel in Gaza was itself a genocidal act. About 1,200 people were killed in this attack and 251 were taken hostage.

Although Adler’s family supported his cause, his mother and sister said he tried to dissuade him from joining the flotilla, fearing his safety – knowing that in an Israeli raid of a flotilla in 2010, 10 activists were killed, including a Turkish American and dozens of others were injured.

“We both trusted him to do what he thought was fair and are very proud of him for what he did, but the level of anxiety was very high, absolutely,” said Adler’s father, Paul.

Adler, who is Jewish, wrote in a play for the nation that his grandfather joined the Parisian resistance against the Nazis and that he draws from his inheritance in his justification for having joined the flotilla.

“I joined this flotilla like any other delegate – to defend humanity, before it is too late. But on Yom Kippur, I remember that I am also here because my Jewish heritage requires it,” wrote Adler.

Adler’s sister, Laura, who lives in Connecticut, said that there were 24 hours when the family did not know her fate.

“It seems silly to say that you are relieved to discover that your brother is in a prison, but I was relieved to learn at least that he was physically safe,” she said. “I simply do not understand why our country, which is the greatest supporter of Israel, cannot be more assertive to protect its citizens abroad.”

Family members said that because Adler had acquired nationality in France and Australia through his father, they received information on his reports compiled by representatives of these countries. On the other hand, the details of the American government are missing, said the family.

Another South California is one of those of a second convoy of around 10 boats that saved last week.

Emily Wilder, an independent journalist based in Los Angeles, is on board to document the stream of the flotilla for Jewish press currents. She said that “as a passenger on a ship in the same trajectory towards Gaza … Towards a possible capture by Israeli forces”, she was “really concerned about the people who were taken and are currently in police custody”.

“But of course, a mission like this is intrinsically risky,” said Wilder.