Madrid intensifies anti-Israel confrontation while Israeli authorities crack down on activists linked to Hamas-connected networks..
Diplomatic tensions between Spain and Israel deepened sharply on Thursday after the Spanish government formally summoned Israel’s top envoy in Madrid over the detention of a Spanish activist involved in an attempted breach of Israel’s Gaza naval blockade.
According to AFP, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced the protest move following the continued detention of Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish citizen of Palestinian Arab origin who participated in the controversial Global Sumud Flotilla operation targeting Israel’s maritime security zone around Gaza.
Abu Keshek was detained alongside Brazilian activist Thiago Avila after Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla last week. An Israeli court later extended their detention until Sunday despite international activist pressure demanding their release.
The flotilla operation involved more than 100 vessels and approximately 1,000 activists departing from countries including Turkey, Spain, and Italy. Organizers claimed the mission aimed to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza by bypassing Israel’s naval blockade.
However, Israeli authorities stated that inspections of the intercepted vessels revealed no meaningful humanitarian aid onboard, echoing previous flotilla incidents that Israel has described as political provocations designed to challenge its security measures against Hamas-controlled Gaza.
The Israeli Navy intercepted the convoy in international waters near Greece after authorities determined the operation intended to violate the blockade imposed to prevent weapons smuggling and terrorist support reaching Hamas.
Flotilla organizers accused Israeli personnel of damaging communication and navigation equipment during the boarding operation, claims Israeli authorities have not publicly confirmed.
Speaking before the Spanish parliament, Albares strongly condemned the continued detention of Abu Keshek and summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires to formally protest what Madrid described as unacceptable treatment of a Spanish citizen.
While most flotilla participants were deported back to Europe shortly after interception, Israeli authorities retained Abu Keshek and Avila for additional questioning due to alleged connections with organizations linked to Hamas networks.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that both detainees are associated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), an organization sanctioned by the United States over alleged ties to Hamas.
The latest confrontation further worsens already strained relations between Jerusalem and Madrid, which have steadily deteriorated since the Gaza war began.
Spain’s government under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has repeatedly adopted harsh anti-Israel positions throughout the conflict, accusing Israel of excessive military actions while increasingly aligning itself with international campaigns critical of Jerusalem.
In 2024, Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state alongside Ireland and Norway, further escalating diplomatic tensions with Israel.
More recently, Israeli officials sharply criticized Spanish authorities after an antisemitic public display in southern Spain featured an effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being blown up during a festival event near Malaga.
Prime Minister Netanyahu subsequently accused Spain of demonstrating growing hostility toward Israel and later removed Madrid from the international oversight mechanism connected to Gaza ceasefire arrangements.
The latest diplomatic clash highlights the widening divide between Israel and several European governments as Jerusalem continues enforcing security measures against attempts to undermine the Gaza blockade and support Hamas-linked networks.
