In Madrid, diplomatic relations between Spain and Israel have become strained after Israeli forces detained ships carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza residents. Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the acting chargé d’affaires of the Israeli embassy to seek clarification regarding the incident involving the ‘Sumud’ flotilla.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reported that among the mission’s participants were 65 Spanish citizens. According to him, these individuals embarked on the voyage solely to provide assistance to those in need, posing no threat to the security of Israel or any other country. Spanish authorities emphasize that their citizens’ actions were aimed at supporting humanitarian initiatives, not provoking conflict.
The ‘Sumud’ flotilla, which means ‘steadfastness’ in Arabic, set sail from Tunisia in mid-September. It included more than forty vessels from various countries. Among the passengers was well-known Swedish human rights activist Greta Thunberg. The primary goal of the mission was to try to break the naval blockade of Gaza and deliver vital supplies.
The Israeli military intercepted nine vessels, detaining around seventy activists. Israeli authorities have repeatedly stated they would not allow the flotilla to approach the enclave’s shores, citing the ongoing blockade due to continuing hostilities. As an alternative, activists were offered the option to leave the humanitarian cargo at the port of Ashkelon or any other port in the region so that the aid could then be delivered to Gaza through official channels. However, the mission participants rejected these alternatives, insisting on direct delivery.
The situation has caused concern within Spanish society, especially among the relatives of those detained. The country’s authorities continue to seek information regarding the fate of their citizens and are demanding transparency from Israel in its subsequent actions. In the coming days, diplomatic contacts between the two countries are expected to continue in order to resolve the conflict and ensure the safety of Spanish nationals.
