Spain threatens Israel: Release citizen 'kidnapped' on Sumud Flotilla

ALBAWABA - Israel intercepted ships and took several activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was heading to Gaza, to break the siege, the Spanish Prime Minister said.

At a campaign event, Pedro Sánchez pointed out three messages for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing that Spain will protect its citizens and defend international law. In addition, he called on Israel to free "the Spanish citizen kidnapped on the flotilla."

Israeli authorities said that its forces seized 22 boats carrying around 175 activists near Crete, Greece. Most of the activists were disembarked in Crete, while two were sent to Israel for "questioning". 

The BBC reported that the flotilla set off for Gaza two weeks ago, with a total of 58 vessels from Spain, France and Italy coming on the trip to break through Israel's aid blockade.

Le digo tres cosas a Netanyahu:

1. España siempre va a proteger a sus ciudadanos.

2. Siempre vamos a defender el derecho internacional.

3. Exigimos la libertad del ciudadano español secuestrado en la flotilla. pic.twitter.com/MX7CrJVLy3

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) May 1, 2026

The Global Sumud Flotilla revealed in a statement that two activists, Spanish-Swedish citizen Saif Abukeshek, who is of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian citizen Thiago Ávila, were taken to Shikma Prison in Askalan, Israel. 

In addition, the flotilla said, citing the Brazilian embassy, that Thiago Ávila was subjected to "torture, beatings, and mistreatment" during his detention.

Nonetheless, Abukeshek was also tortured and severely abused aboard a military vessel before being taken to the prison, the flotilla noted.

^{An activist climbs the mast of a boat displaying a Palestinian flag in l'Estaque, part of Marseille's harbour, southern France, on April 4, 2026, during a rally in support of a flotilla carrying activists from “Thousand Madleens to Gaza” movement as they prepare to set sail. (Photo by CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP)}

The governments of Spain and Brazil stressed in a joint statement that they "condemn in the strongest possible terms the abduction of two of their citizens in international waters by the Government of Israel."

"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 criminal offence under our respective national laws," the statement read.

Furthermore, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg appeared in a video on social media calling for the release of all members of the flotilla kidnapped by Israel in international waters.