Freedom Flotilla: US Activist Chris Smalls Assaulted in Israeli Custody

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has reported that prominent US labor activist Chris Smalls was physically assaulted while in Israeli custody after being detained during a humanitarian mission to Gaza.

Smalls, the former president of the Amazon Labor Union, was among 21 international activists and journalists aboard the ship Handala when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters.

According to a statement released by the FFC, Smalls was violently attacked by seven uniformed individuals while in detention. “They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back,” the coalition said in a social media post. The incident reportedly occurred before his lawyer was granted access to meet with him.

During that meeting, Smalls was surrounded by six members of Israel’s special police unit, a show of force that the FFC claims was not used against other detained activists. The organization strongly condemned what it called the “discriminatory treatment” of Smalls, demanding transparency and accountability for the assault.

Smalls’ presence on the Handala was part of the Freedom Flotilla, a campaign involving civil society members from around the world who aim to break the blockade on Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid and drawing global attention to the crisis in the Palestinian territory.

Handala followed the Madleen mission, which also ended in the deportation and arrest deportation of the volunteers, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

The FFC emphasized that all participants on board were engaged in a peaceful mission and had committed to nonviolent principles. The group’s claims raise serious concerns about the treatment of detainees by Israeli authorities, particularly in cases involving high-profile international figures.

As international pressure mounts, human rights organizations are now calling for a thorough investigation into the reported assault and broader scrutiny of Israel’s handling of peaceful protest actions related to Gaza.

The incident has drawn widespread outrage, with supporters of Smalls and the Freedom Flotilla demanding his immediate release and a public inquiry into the use of force against nonviolent activists.