BARCELONA, SPAIN May 10, 2026 — Saif Abukeshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin and a key organizer of the Global Sumud Flotilla, arrived in Spain on Sunday after being held in Israeli custody for approximately 10 days without charges.
Abukeshek was one of two activists—alongside Brazilian Thiago Ávila—singled out after Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters northwest of the Greek island of Crete on April 29-30, 2026. Israeli commandos boarded more than 20 vessels carrying around 175 activists from dozens of countries who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
Most participants were transferred to Greek authorities and released shortly afterward in Crete. Abukeshek and Ávila, however, were taken to Israel for questioning. Israeli authorities accused Abukeshek of affiliation with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a U.S.-sanctioned group Israel links to Hamas, and described Ávila as suspected of illegal activity. No formal charges were filed against either man.
Spain strongly condemned the detention, summoning Israel’s chargé d’affaires twice and labeling the action an “illegal abduction” and a violation of international law. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares demanded immediate release, stating the interception occurred outside Israeli jurisdiction. Brazil joined Spain in protesting the move. The UN Human Rights Office also called for the pair’s unconditional release and an investigation into alleged mistreatment during transfer and detention.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, described the boarding as “brazen and unlawful” and expressed concerns over arbitrary detention and reports of activists being beaten, blindfolded, and held in isolation.
Upon landing in Spain on May 10, Abukeshek addressed a crowd of supporters and international media at an airport terminal packed with Palestinian flags and activists. Speaking defiantly despite visible fatigue, he rejected Israel’s justification for the raid.
“What we saw during our interception is due to impunity… that have no respect,” he said. He dismissed claims of self-defense by the Israeli government, calling it a “fascist government” and stating that “humanity needs sacrifice.” Abukeshek thanked global protests against his arrest for giving him “energy” and urged continued frontline defense of Palestinian rights. He added that his resolve remained unbroken: “Our path has only just begun.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla is the latest in a series of civilian maritime missions aimed at spotlighting the Gaza blockade amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began after the October 7, 2023, attacks. Organizers say the mission was purely humanitarian; Israel maintains it enforces a legal naval blockade for security reasons to prevent weapons smuggling.
Abukeshek’s release and deportation were confirmed earlier Sunday by his legal team. Both he and Ávila are now free. Protests in support of the flotilla and the detained activists have taken place in multiple European cities, including Madrid and Barcelona.
The incident has further strained diplomatic ties between Israel and Spain, which has been vocal in its criticism of Israeli policies in Gaza.
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