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Spain’s foreign minister demanded on Saturday the immediate release of an activist detained by Israel after authorities intercepted an aid flotilla headed for Gaza in international waters.
Saif Abukeshek, who holds dual Spanish-Swedish citizenship and is of Palestinian origin, was detained for questioning in Israel along with Brazilian national Thiago Ávila. According to a legal aid group, both men have initiated a hunger strike while in custody.
The interception occurred outside Israeli territorial waters, with dozens of other activists on the flotilla being picked up by the Greek coast guard and transported to the island of Crete.
“This is a case of illegal detention in international waters, outside the jurisdiction of Israeli authorities. I have made this clear to my Israeli counterpart,” Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated during an interview with Spanish public radio.
The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (Adalah), which visited the two detained activists at a detention facility in the Israeli port city of Ashkelon, reported troubling conditions. According to the organization, both men claimed they had been repeatedly beaten while in custody and had begun a hunger strike in response.
“Adalah maintains that the treatment of the two activists, including the use of isolation, prolonged blindfolding and physical beatings, constitutes a grave violation of international law,” the advocacy group said in a statement.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry contested these allegations in an online post, stating that Abukeshek and Ávila were being questioned regarding potential connections to Hamas, which Israel and many Western nations designate as a terrorist organization. Israeli officials confirmed that both men had received consular visits, suggesting they were attempting to follow diplomatic protocols despite the controversial detention.
This incident has further strained already tense relations between Israel and Spain. The Spanish government has been one of the most vocal European critics of Israel’s military operations in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack. In May 2024, Spain formally recognized Palestinian statehood alongside Ireland and Norway, a move that drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez escalated the diplomatic tension on Friday during a campaign event for regional elections in southern Spain, directly challenging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Now that Netanyahu has taken foreign citizens, including a Spanish national, and brought them to Israel, I have a few things to say to Prime Minister Netanyahu,” Sánchez declared to applause from supporters of his Socialist party. “First, Spain will always protect its citizens. Second, we will always uphold international law — and this is yet another violation of it. And third, we demand the release of the Spanish citizen who has been illegally detained by the Netanyahu government.”
Aid flotillas attempting to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza have been a flashpoint for international controversy since 2010, when Israeli forces raided the Mavi Marmara ship, resulting in the deaths of ten activists. The current incident occurs against the backdrop of a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid organizations report critical shortages of food, medicine, and basic supplies after months of conflict.
The Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, in place since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007, has been intensified during the current conflict. Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, while critics argue it constitutes collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.
Neither Israeli nor Spanish authorities have indicated when Abukeshek might be released or what specific charges, if any, he might face. The situation continues to develop as diplomatic communications between the two nations remain strained.
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5 Comments
The alleged hunger strike by the detained activists is an alarming development. Their wellbeing and rights must be respected, regardless of the political tensions. I hope an impartial investigation can shed light on the circumstances and lead to a fair resolution.
This is a concerning incident, with allegations of illegal detention and mistreatment of activists. The Spanish government’s demand for immediate release seems justified if the activists were operating outside Israeli waters. I hope this situation can be resolved peacefully through diplomatic channels.
International law and human rights should be upheld, even in politically charged situations. The Spanish government is right to voice its concerns over the reported detention and treatment of its citizen. I hope cooler heads can prevail to find a diplomatic solution.
The allegations of mistreatment of the detained activists are very troubling. Regardless of the political context, fundamental human rights and due process should be respected. I hope an impartial investigation can clarify what transpired and lead to appropriate actions.
This incident highlights the complexities and sensitivities around aid deliveries to Gaza. While I can understand Israel’s security concerns, detaining activists outside its territorial waters seems like an overreach. A measured, transparent approach would serve all parties better.