On Sunday, a flight landed at Barcelona airport carrying Ada Colau and Jordi Coronas—members of a humanitarian mission who had been detained by Israeli authorities. They were greeted not only by family members but also by representatives of political groups and dozens of concerned citizens. The returnees brought with them the experience of 35 days in isolation, humiliating procedures, and constant pressure.
Immediately after the vessel was intercepted in international waters, the Spaniards and other mission members were taken to Ketziot prison. They were given identical clothing—gray sweatpants and white T-shirts, their only wardrobe for the entire period of detention. According to the participants, from the very beginning they were deprived of the right to move freely and subjected to psychological and physical pressure. Recalling the moment of the arrest, Coronas notes that Israeli forces acted aggressively: ships without identification lights, sudden searchlights, orders to shut down the engine, and armed men storming the vessel.
The situation in the port only worsened. The Spaniards were forced to kneel with their heads to the ground and were kept in that position for several hours. Some lost personal belongings—jewelry and articles of clothing were thrown on the floor. Throughout their detention, activists faced procedural violations: they were asked to sign documents in an unfamiliar language, without lawyers present, and those who refused were intimidated and isolated. Even those who agreed to deportation did not escape further restrictions.
Conditions in prison left much to be desired. Detainees were deprived of sleep and sometimes denied access to medical care, despite having chronic illnesses. On one occasion, when someone from the group requested medical assistance, they were told it was “for people.” Armed guards with dogs would periodically enter the cells, and outside the window there was a poster depicting devastated Gaza with an inscription in Arabic: “Welcome to the new Gaza.”
The organizers of the mission are now considering filing complaints against the actions of the Israeli authorities. According to them, systematic human rights violations should not go unpunished. Meanwhile, some Spanish activists remain in Israeli prisons, with their return expected in the coming days. Six Catalans have already arrived in Barcelona, with the others on their way. Ahead lie new stages in the fight for justice and ongoing efforts to draw attention to the situation in Gaza.
