Diplomatic tensions between Spain and Israel are escalating after an Israeli court decided to extend the detention of two activists. The court ordered a five-day extension of their detention, following their arrest while participating in the “Gaza Flotilla,” which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near Crete last week. Spain reacted strongly, demanding the immediate release of one of them, who is a Spanish citizen.
Israel-Spain diplomatic tensions over Gaza flotilla activist arrest – Allegations of beatings
The detainees, Spanish citizen Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Ávila, were transferred to Israel after being arrested last Wednesday. The Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court extended their detention until May 10th. Meanwhile, more than 100 activists who participated in the flotilla were released, although there were allegations of beatings of some of them by Israeli forces. Sources from the Spanish Foreign Ministry characterized Abu Keshek’s detention as illegal and called for respect of his rights. They also noted that Spanish consular authorities remain in constant contact with him, providing necessary support. According to court documents from Israel, the two activists are charged with crimes including providing aid to enemy forces and contact with a terrorist organization. Judge Yaniv Ben-Harus cited “reasonable suspicions” as the basis for extending the detention.
An Israeli court extended the detention of Gaza aid flotilla activists by two days, as Spain’s foreign minister called for the immediate release of Saif Abukeshek, a dual Spanish-Swedish citizen detained in Israel alongside Brazilian national Thiago Ávila. pic.twitter.com/hzKnwaZpMx
— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) May 3, 2026
Refuting these charges, human rights organization Adalah characterized the claims as baseless, arguing there is no legal basis for continuing the detention. The defendants’ lawyers emphasized that no formal charges have been filed so far, while noting that the detention serves exclusively investigative purposes. They also denounced incidents of mistreatment, claims that are however rejected by Israel.
