Spain and Brazil demand release of flotilla activists as Sánchez accuses Israel of ‘illegal abduction’

Writing on X (see below) after addressing his party on Friday, Sánchez said: ‘I tell Netanyahu three things: Spain will always protect its citizens. We will always defend international law. We demand the freedom of the Spanish citizen kidnapped on the flotilla.’

Israeli authorities confirmed they were taking two prominent activists – Spanish-Swedish citizen Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian Thiago Ávila (main image) – to Israel for questioning after intercepting their aid flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean.

Both Spain and Brazil strongly condemned the operation, accusing Israel of ‘kidnapping’ their nationals and demanding their immediate release.

Abukeshek, of Palestinian origin, and Ávila were among dozens of activists stopped by the Israeli navy off the coast of Crete. They sit on the steering committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which once again aimed to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.

In total, 22 boats carrying 175 activists were intercepted overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, hundreds of kilometres from Gaza and Israel. Activists said Israeli forces boarded vessels, disabled engines and detained those onboard.

Israeli officials defended the move, saying early intervention was necessary due to the flotilla’s size. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on X (see below) that Abukeshek was ‘suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation’ and Ávila of ‘illegal activity’, without providing evidence.

In a joint statement, Spain and Brazil denounced ‘the kidnapping of two of their citizens in international waters by the Government of Israel’, stressing the action took place outside Israeli jurisdiction.

‘This flagrantly illegal action by the Israeli authorities outside their jurisdiction constitutes a violation of International Law, which may be invoked before international courts, and may constitute a crime in our respective national jurisdictions,’ the statement said.

Both governments demanded immediate consular access and the prompt return of the detainees. Unlike other activists who disembarked in Crete, the Spanish and Brazilian nationals remained held aboard an Israeli navy vessel in Greek territorial waters.

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also called for Abukeshek’s immediate release in an audio message, noting that around 30 other Spanish citizens had been assisted by embassy staff in Greece after leaving the flotilla.

The Global Sumud Flotilla urged international pressure on Israel, expressing particular concern for Abukeshek – who was reportedly on an observer boat not intending to reach Gaza – and Ávila.

Ávila’s spouse, Lara Souza, said there was uncertainty over their whereabouts. ‘We don’t know if they are still in Greek waters,’ she said, adding that Brazil had warned it would become harder to secure their release once transferred elsewhere.

Flotilla organisers accused Israeli forces of mistreatment, claiming activists were denied food and water and forced to sleep on flooded floors. They alleged that when Abukeshek and Ávila were taken away, resistance was met with ‘sheer violence’.

“’Participants were punched, kicked and dragged across the deck with their hands bound behind their backs. They suffered broken noses, cracked ribs and bloody beatings. Shots were even fired at them in the chaos,’ organisers said.

They added that 34 people from countries including the United States, Australia, Colombia, Italy and Ukraine were injured and required hospital treatment after disembarking.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had said the previous day that those taken from the vessels were ‘taken off unharmed’.

Organisers said that of the 53 boats initially involved, 31 had reached safe waters and would continue efforts to ‘break the illegal siege of Gaza’. The flotilla had set sail earlier this month from Barcelona.

Greece’s foreign ministry said it had asked Israel to withdraw its ships from the area and offered to facilitate the activists’ disembarkation and return.

Protests in support of the flotilla broke out in cities including Rome, Athens and Istanbul.

The United States, however, dismissed the initiative as a ‘pro-Hamas’ effort, urging allies to block the vessels.

‘The United States expects all our allies, particularly those who have committed to supporting President Trump’s successful 20-Point Plan, to take decisive action against this meaningless political stunt,’ the State Department said.

The latest flotilla attempt follows a similar mission last year involving around 50 vessels and 500 activists – including Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela – which was also stopped by Israeli authorities. Participants were detained and later deported, with Ávila among those who alleged abuse in custody, claims Israel denied. ALSO READ: Thousands protest in Spanish cities against the Gaza flotilla interception.