A score of activists from the humanitarian flotilla Global Sumud Flotilla returned this Saturday to Barcelona after being intercepted by Israel in international waters when they were heading towards the Gaza Strip. Upon their arrival at El Prat airport, they denounced having been “kidnapped” and subjected to “violent and brutal” treatment during their detention by Israeli forces.
The activist Ariadna Masmitjà assured the media that the group suffered aggressions during the Israeli operation and maintained that what happened constitutes “an attack against Palestine”. According to what the members of the expedition recounted, more than 400 activists of different nationalities were traveling in about thirty vessels with the objective of breaking the blockade on Gaza and denouncing the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave.
The flotilla organization also denounced that during the detention multiple physical and sexual aggressions would have occurred against some of its members. After being intercepted, the activists were transferred to the Israeli port of Ashdod, from where they were subsequently deported towards Istanbul before returning to their countries of origin. Four of the Spanish activists needed medical attention for the injuries suffered.
The images disseminated from Israel showing the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, alongside several detained activists kneeling on the ground provoked a strong controversy among pro-Palestinian organizations and political sectors. At Barcelona airport, dozens of people received the activists with Palestinian flags and chants like “Free Palestine” or “Boycott Israel”, accompanied by political representatives such as Ernest Urtasun and Jaume Asens.
During her appearance, Masmitjà demanded that the European Union and the Spanish Government break relations with Israel and adopt more forceful measures given the situation in Gaza. The activist criticized that, despite institutional speeches of support for the Palestinian people, commercial and arms relations with Israel continue to exist. “We are risking our lives because governments are silent,” she stated.
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