Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares accused Israel of conducting an “illegal detention in international waters” and called for the immediate release of an activist who was taken in for questioning by Israeli authorities.
An aid flotilla bound for Gaza was intercepted by Israeli authorities in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea, according to media reports on Friday.
Following the interception, Saif Abukeshek, who is a Spanish-Swedish citizen, and Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian national, were brought to Israel, according a social media post by Israel’s foreign ministry.
Abukeshek and Ávila — who the ministry said have possible links to Hamas or illegal activity — arrived in Israel on Saturday and were held for questioning, the ministry said in a subsequent post.
Abukeshek “must be released immediately so he can return to Spain,” Albares told the radio station RAC1 on Saturday. Albares called the episode a “completely illegal action” perpetrated by Israeli authorities outside of their jurisdiction.
The comments by Albares follow a speech by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at a campaign event accusing Israeli authorities of taking foreign citizens and demanding the release of the “Spanish citizen who has been illegally abducted by the Netanyahu government.”
