US Labor Activist Chris Smalls Released After Israeli Detention, Assault

Chris Smalls, founder of the Amazon Labor Union and a prominent American labor activist, was detained and physically assaulted by Israeli forces after they intercepted the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's aid ship, Handala, in international waters while attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Smalls, the only Black member of the 21-person crew, was reportedly choked, kicked, and subjected to harsh conditions including extreme heat, overcrowding, lack of ventilation, and denial of hygiene supplies during his five-day imprisonment. Despite requests, U.S. consulate and embassy officials did not meet with Smalls or other detained activists. After a hunger strike protesting their conditions, Smalls and the other detainees were released and Smalls was welcomed back in New York amid public support. The incident has drawn limited attention from major U.S. media and labor unions, with some union leaders criticized for their silence. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and legal aid groups condemned the Israeli military's actions as illegal and racially motivated, highlighting the ongoing plight of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.