47-year-old Hanan Alkalde, known on Spanish social media as ‘Barbie Gaza,’ recently returned home after being detained in Israel. She took part in an international flotilla that attempted to reach the shores of Gaza to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in the region. After her return to Spain, she spoke in detail for the first time about what she had to endure.
According to Alkalde, the conditions in the Israeli prison were extremely harsh. She recalls sleepless nights, constant psychological pressure, and a lack of access to essential medication and basic amenities. There was not enough food or drinking water, and she had no opportunity to contact lawyers or diplomats. Despite the fact that, according to her, they were treated more leniently than Palestinians, she has no doubt: it was real torture, just in a ‘special’ form.
Hanan shared a cell with other well-known activists, including Greta Thunberg and Ada Colau. The Spaniard notes that Greta comes across as a very intelligent but reserved person. Nevertheless, communication among the detainees was minimal—everyone was exhausted and focused on their own experiences.
Alcalde does not hide the fact: to join this mission, she had to leave her job and temporarily give up her usual life. Her husband Amin supported her, and all six of their children, like her, are active on social media. Despite criticism and mixed reactions from society, Hanan is confident she made the right decision. She believes that fighting for Palestinian rights is more important than personal comfort or even family.
The flotilla in which Alcalde participated was organized through donations and with the support of several non-profit organizations. The main goal was to draw attention to the situation in Gaza and publicly condemn the actions of the Israeli authorities. Upon returning to Spain, Hanan was disappointed by the lack of government support, but she was not surprised: in her view, many politicians prefer not to get involved in such contentious issues.
In an interview, Alcalde also spoke about her conversion to Islam and the prejudice and discrimination she has faced. She acknowledges that her activism often sparks debate and has even led to her social media accounts being blocked, but she has no intention of stopping. In the future, Hanan plans to continue helping the people of Gaza and to travel there herself as soon as possible.
