The arrival in Spain of a group of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla was overshadowed on Saturday by tense scenes at Bilbao airport, where clashes broke out with the Ertzaintza, the autonomous police force for the Basque Country. The disturbances ended with four people being arrested on charges of serious disobedience, resisting authority and assaulting a police officer.
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According to police sources, the incidents occurred as six members of the flotilla, who had just landed, were posing for the media and blocked one of the arrivals’ exits at the airport. Officers then intervened, considering that the security cordon had been breached, which led to shoving and moments of high tension between activists, supporters and police.
Videos circulating on social media show serious clashes between police and members of the activist group. Some activists are seen pinned to the ground before being handcuffed.
The return of these activists had been delayed by a day because two of them were taken to the hospital, injured when they were intercepted by Israeli forces as they tried to reach the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid.
Those arrested were handed over to the judicial authorities following the incidents at Bilbao airport.
Spanish diplomat summoned to point out incoherence
Israel has accused the Spanish government of “hypocrisy” following the publication of videos and images allegedly showing Spanish authorities using force against flotilla activists.
In response, the Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yossi Amrani, summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the Spanish Embassy in Israel, Francisca Pedrós, on Sunday, at the instruction of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, for a clarification meeting.
A statement issued afterward said the Political Director raised what he described as the inconsistency of Spain’s position, arguing that it sends activists toward Israel and then condemns Israel’s enforcement of a naval blockade, while Spanish authorities themselves reportedly used severe violence against those same flotilla participants.
Arrival in Barcelona passes off without incident
By contrast, another 20 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla landed at Barcelona-El Prat airport around midday, with no incidents reported.
Around 200 people greeted them in the terminal with Palestinian flags and welcome banners. Among those present were political representatives and public officials who showed their support for the initiative.
The activists had been seized five days earlier in international waters as they headed to Gaza with humanitarian aid, in an operation that has prompted criticism and complaints about the treatment they received during their detention.
The incident follows the diplomatic backlash after Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released footage showing Israeli security forces restraining international activists detained while attempting to sail to Gaza with aid. Lawyers representing the group say several activists were injured during the detention, with three taken to hospital and later discharged, and dozens more reportedly suffering suspected broken ribs and breathing difficulties. The incident has drawn renewed scrutiny of Israel’s handling of the flotilla participants and added to ongoing international criticism over the treatment of detained activists.
Santiago González’s allegations
One of the Spanish activists, Santiago González Vallejo, reported after his deportation that the violence against them had been “in crescendo” during his detention. He told RTVE on Friday that Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, said to them that “neither Palestine nor Gaza exist” and branded them “terrorists”.
Like other activists, González said he had suffered blows, painful restraint holds, and the withdrawal of his medication, and said that several of his companions remain in the hospital with serious injuries.
As the activists return to Spain in stages, the organising coalition is considering legal action over arbitrary detention and ill-treatment, while also announcing that it will press ahead with new initiatives to denounce the blockade of Gaza.
France bans Itamar Ben Gvir over treatment of flotilla activists
The controversy surrounding the Global Sumud Flotilla has also had diplomatic repercussions.
France has barred Minister Ben Gvir from entering its territory, deeming his actions “unacceptable” towards French and other European citizens detained during the interception of the flotilla.
Paris has said that the decision responds to a series of “humiliating and threatening” behaviours, including videos shared on social networks in which the minister is seen among activists who are bound and kneeling.
The French foreign minister has stressed that although the French government does not agree with the flotilla initiative, “it cannot tolerate public officials intimidating or mistreating European citizens,” and indicated that France and Italy will call for sanctions at the European Union level against the Israeli official.
