Spain has condemned the detention of its citizen by the Israeli military during the interception of a flotilla bound for Gaza. The incident occurred in international waters near Crete earlier this week. This was reported by The Times of Israel, according to UNN.
Details
According to the publication, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that Saif Abu Keshek, a citizen of Palestinian origin, "must be released immediately so that he can return to Spain."
According to the minister, this is an "illegal detention in international waters, outside any jurisdiction of the Israeli authorities."
Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian citizen Thiago Avila are two members of the flotilla who were detained and taken to Israel. At the same time, according to the publication, about 175 other activists who were on board the ships were released to Greece after the interception.
In response, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that both detainees are members of the Palestinian Conference Abroad (PCPA), which the United States has recognized and sanctioned as a front for Hamas.
"The ministry stated that both will be taken for questioning by law enforcement agencies, and representatives of their countries will visit them for a consular visit," the publication writes.
Recall
Pro-Palestinian activists claim that at least 22 vessels from the flotilla carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near the Greek island of Crete.