Spain and Brazil Demand Release of Activists Detained from Gaza Flotilla

Diplomatic Demands for Release

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has demanded the immediate release of Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin, who was detained by Israeli forces. Abukeshek was taken to Israel after forces raided the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Greece.

Brazil has joined Spain in demanding the release of its own national, Thiago Avila, who is also being detained in Israel. The governments of Spain and Brazil stated that the detention of these individuals "amounts to a criminal offense".

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that his government is doing "everything necessary to protect and assist the detained Spaniards" and accused Israel of "violating international law".

Interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail earlier this month from Barcelona in an attempt to break Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza. The vessel was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters near a southern Greek island.

While most of the flotilla participants were transferred to Greece, Abukeshek and Avila were transferred to Israel for questioning. Spain's Foreign Ministry has "energetically condemned" the seizure of the flotilla.

In a joint statement with several other nations, Spain and Brazil asserted that Israel's interception of the vessel and the subsequent detention of activists in international waters "constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law".

Escalating Tensions and Protests

Following the seizure, Spain's Foreign Ministry summoned Israel's chargé d'affaires, Dana Erlich, to protest the incident. The diplomatic tension has coincided with public unrest, as protests erupted in Barcelona on May 1, 2026, following the interception of the Gaza-bound flotilla.

A legal aid group has reported that both Abukeshek and Avila have launched hunger strikes while in detention.

International and Israeli Responses

Israel has defended its actions, with the ministry accusing the flotilla's organizers of collaborating with the Palestinian armed group Hamas. The ministry alleged the mission aimed to sabotage the second phase of President Trump's Gaza peace plan and divert attention from Hamas's refusal to disarm.

The United States has backed the Israeli authorities, describing the flotilla as a "stunt". The U.S. State Department indicated it expects allies to deny port access, refueling, departure, and docking to vessels participating in the flotilla.

Other European nations have also intervened; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni demanded that Israel immediately release "all the unlawfully detained Italians".