Spain Calls Israel’s Detention of Gaza Flotilla Activist a Kidnapping

Spain’s foreign ministry has escalated its protest over the arrest of Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish‑Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, calling the seizure a kidnapping that occurred outside Israeli jurisdiction. The claim follows Israel’s raid on the Global Sumud Flotilla off Crete, where military forces boarded 22 vessels delivering aid to Gaza.

During the raid, Israeli forces detained 175 activists and transferred them to Greece. Abukeshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila were taken to Israel for “questioning,” a move Israel justifies by alleging ties to Hamas. The Israeli foreign ministry identifies Abukeshek as a leading member of the Palestinian National Conference Abroad, an organization the United States says operates at Hamas’s behest. Spain’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, rejected the claim, noting that Israel has presented no evidence linking Abukeshek to the group.

Abukeshek described his treatment on the Israeli vessel: he was hand‑tied, blindfolded, and forced to lie face‑down for hours, resulting in bruises on his face and hands. The Adalah legal centre, which visited the detainees in Shikma Prison, reported similar accounts of physical violence and prolonged stress positions. Avila alleged he was dragged face‑down and beaten until he lost consciousness twice.

Both men have begun a hunger strike, though they continue to drink water, and are scheduled for a court hearing on Sunday to decide whether their detention will be extended. Spain’s consul in Greece required hospital care after attending to injured activists, and the Spanish consul in Tel Aviv was allowed to see Abukeshek on Saturday.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that Spain will protect its citizens and uphold international law. The incident has sparked protests and condemnation from human‑rights groups and several governments, with Turkey’s foreign ministry labeling the raid an act of piracy.

The case highlights the tension between Israel’s security claims and international concerns over the treatment of activists in contested waters. Watch for the Sunday court decision and any diplomatic moves that could affect Spain‑Israel relations.