Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Saturday demanded that Israel release a Spanish national detained during the interception of the Gaza aid flotilla.
“This is an unlawful detention in international waters outside the jurisdiction of the Israeli authorities,” he told Spanish broadcaster RAC1.
When asked whether Saif Abukeshek’s transfer to Israel constituted kidnapping, Albares replied, “If this is carried out by authorities that have no legal jurisdiction whatsoever, then yes, definitely.”
Israel makes serious allegations against Spaniard and Brazilian
Israel accuses Abukeshek, who has Palestinian roots, of having links to the extremist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said he was a leading member of the Palestinian National Conference Abroad. The US authorities have said the group is “secretly controlled by Hamas.”
A further activist, Brazilian Thiago Ávila, is accused of “illegal activities.” Both have since been taken to Israel, where they will be handed over to the law enforcement authorities for questioning, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X. Both are receiving visits from consular staff from their respective home countries.
Albares said the Spanish judiciary would have jurisdiction if Abukeshek were found guilty, but added that he had no information establishing any link between Abukeshek and Hamas.
Earlier this week, the Israeli navy intercepted 21 ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters west of Crete and detained 175 people.
Greece agreed to receive those detained by the Israeli navy and facilitate their return to their countries of origin. According to consistent reports in the Greek media, all but the Spaniard and the Brazilian were taken to Crete on Friday.
Aid flotilla intends to continue journey to Gaza Strip
Around 30 vessels from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla entered the port of Ierapetra in south-eastern Crete following the Israeli military operation.
Organizers said the flotilla was regrouping and would continue its course “to break the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip.”
Data from an online tracker run by the organizers, as well as MarineTraffic, showed the boats were still in port on Saturday, likely due to strong winds. Adverse weather is expected in the Crete area over the coming days.