Spain summons Israeli diplomat again over detained activist

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced on Thursday that Madrid had once again summoned Israel’s charge d’affaires over the ongoing detention of a Spanish activist who was aboard a flotilla headed for Gaza.

Continued detention called ‘inadmissible’

Speaking during an extraordinary parliamentary session, Albares said Israeli diplomat Dana Erlich was summoned on Wednesday to convey that the continued detention of Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek is “inadmissible.” Spain considers the interception of the vessel in international waters and the detention of its crew as “contrary to international law,” Albares stated. “It is unacceptable that in international waters vessels are boarded, their crew members detained and the vessels disabled,” he added.

Flotilla intercepted near Greece

Abukeshek was detained after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla near Greece on April 29. Brazilian activist Thiago Avila was also taken into custody. The two were among dozens of activists who had set sail to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza. They remain in detention at least until Sunday. Türkiye has repeatedly condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza and its interception of civilian flotillas, viewing such actions as collective punishment and violations of international maritime law.