Events off the coast of Gaza have captured national attention in Spain: among the detained activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the enclave was former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. She was aboard the vessel Sirius, which was part of the international flotilla “Samud”. Israeli forces intercepted the ships, preventing them from approaching the shore.
A video appeared on social media showing Colau stating that if the footage was available, it meant they had already been detained. Dozens of Spaniards were aboard the flotilla, and the country’s authorities responded immediately. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares summoned the chargé d’affaires of Israel in Madrid for clarification. According to Spanish diplomats, the flotilla included at least 65 Spanish citizens.
The international mission set out from Tunisia in mid-September, involving more than forty vessels from various countries. Among the participants was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The main goal was to try to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver much-needed aid to local residents.
Israeli authorities have repeatedly emphasized that they will not allow the flotilla to approach the enclave’s coast, citing ongoing hostilities and the current naval blockade. Activists were offered the option to unload humanitarian aid at the port of Ashkelon or any other port, after which it could be delivered to Gaza through agreed-upon channels. However, mission participants rejected these options, insisting on direct delivery of aid.
As a result of the operation, around 70 people were detained and nine flotilla vessels were stopped. Spanish society is closely following the developments, awaiting further action from the country’s authorities and diplomatic services.
