Activist Chris Smalls released from Israeli custody
The labor activist was reportedly singled out and beaten by Israeli forces while trying to reach Gaza with supplies.
U.S. labor activist Christian Smalls has been released from the custody of Israeli forces after he was beaten and detained, a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said.
The activist, who rose to prominence for co-founding the Amazon Labor Union, is in Jordan and will be arriving in Newark on Friday morning.
He, and another activist, Hatem Aouini of Tunisia, left the prison at 8 am.
The pair were two of 19 activists and 2 journalists on the Handala, a Gaza-bound vessel with supplies for starving Palestinians.
Smalls, the only Black activist aboard, was singled out by Israeli forces, choked, and beaten, the group said.
"The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that upon arrival in Israeli custody, U.S. human rights defender, Christian Smalls, was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals," the Freedom Flotilla Coalition wrote Monday on Instagram. "They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back."
“When his lawyer met with him, Chris was surrounded by six members of Israel’s special police unit. This level of force was not used against other abducted activists. We condemn this violence against Chris and demand accountability for the assault and discriminatory treatment he faced.”
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global authority that tracks hunger, said the “worst-case scenario of famine” is taking place right now in Gaza.
Labor Party USA is calling on supporters to meet at Newark Liberty International Airport on August 1 to welcome Smalls back into the country.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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