Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid convoy in international waters last Thursday, detaining two activists and sparking a diplomatic confrontation with Spain, according to reports from France24 and Al Jazeera.
The Israeli navy raided 22 boats belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Crete, using drones and communications-jamming technology to intercept the vessels. While 175 activists were taken to Greece, two men were taken to Israel for questioning, Al Jazeera reported.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Israel of 'abducting' foreign nationals on the aid flotilla and violating international law. The Spanish government is specifically seeking the release of Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin.
Allegations of illegal detention and torture
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told the Catalan radio station RAC1 on Saturday that he was concerned about the 'illegal detention' of Abukesheck and called for his immediate release. Albares asserted that because the arrest occurred outside Israeli jurisdiction, 'of course, it is a kidnapping.'
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Abukeshek is a leading member of the Palestinian National Conference Abroad, an organization the United States says operates at the behest of Hamas. However, Al Jazeera reported that Albares insisted Israel 'has not put on the table any evidence' regarding Abukeshek’s relationship with the group.
The second detainee, Brazilian national Thiago Avila, was also taken to Israel on Friday for questioning, according to Al Jazeera.
The Global Sumud Flotilla released a statement claiming that activists who have been released from the initial raid reported that Abukeshek was subjected to torture while on an Israeli military vessel. The Adalah legal centre visited both Abukeshek and Avila at Shikma Prison in Israel on Saturday.
Diplomatic and humanitarian fallout
Spain's diplomatic mission in the region is currently managing the fallout of the raid. Albares noted that the Spanish consul in Greece was forced to visit a hospital because several activists required medical assistance following the interception.
As of Saturday, the Spanish consul in Tel Aviv was being permitted to meet with Abukeshek, according to the Spanish Foreign Minister. The raid took place hundreds of miles from the Gaza Strip, in international waters, according to France24 and Al Jazeera.
