21 Spanish detainees Gazavloot are released: ‘Hope nothing will go wrong’
Spain and Israel have reached agreement on the release of 21 of the 49 Spanish boarders of the Global Sumud Flotilla. With forty ships on the way to Khan Younis, that campaign was on the way to deliver emergency aid, but was stopped on Wednesday by Israel, which arrested the passengers. The country has been raising a sea blockade off the coast of Gaza for 22 years.
“A first group of 21 Spanish citizens can leave Tel Aviv today,” said foreign minister José Manuel Albares to the Spanish public broadcaster. “Let’s hope nothing goes wrong,” he added.
Previously, Madrid called on the activists to stop their mission, because Israel had classified a forbidden area at sea. The Spanish navy ship that feeded in the neighborhood for support could therefore not be able to shoot for any rescue work.
Spain has summoned the highest Israeli representative in the country to explain about stopping the campaign. Because the country recognized a Palestinian state last year, Israel no longer has an embassy in Spain.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly labeled the situation in Gaza as genocide and called to exclude Israeli sports teams from international sports competitions. The country also no longer allows Spanish ports to be used as a transit location for fuel intended for the Israeli armed forces. In addition, entry bans were imposed on people who are directly involved in the violence in Gaza, including Israeli ministers.
It is unclear when the remaining Spanish arrestors can return. Israel has said that it will expand the total of more than four hundred activists.