However, their lawyers argued that “the entire legal process is fundamentally flawed and illegal,” the statement added.
No charges have been filed against either activists and they remain under interrogation at the pre-indictment stage, the group said.
Archiv: Jose Manuel Albares
Israeli court extends detention of two Gaza aid flotilla activists by two days
Spain’s foreign minister on Saturday called for the immediate release of Saif Abukeshek, a dual Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, who was detained for questioning in Israel on Saturday along with Thiago Ávila of Brazil. A legal aid group said both men had launched a hunger strike. Dozens of other activists were picked up by the Greek coast guard following the Israeli action and taken to the island of Crete. (AP video shot by Ami Bentov)
Activists’ detention deepens Spain-Israel tensions as aid group says men have begun hunger strike
Spain’s foreign minister on Saturday called for the immediate release of an activist detained by Israel after an aid flotilla bound for Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters.
Saif Abukeshek, a dual Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, was detained for questioning in Israel on Saturday along with Thiago Ávila of Brazil. A legal aid group said both men had launched a hunger strike.
Madrid denies White House claim that Spain has ‘agreed to cooperate with the US military’
But Spain’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, rejected this statement just a few minutes later. ”I categorically deny it. The Spanish government’s position on the war in the Middle East, the bombings in Iran, and the use of our bases has not changed one iota,” he said in a radio interview on Cadena SER.
Spain’s position had been summarized by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that morning in an official statement: “No to war.” Albares said that he has “no idea” what Leavitt was referring to.
Spain proposes imposing sanctions on Israel to force end to Gaza war
(May 26, 2025)
Representatives from European countries, including France, Britain, Germany and Italy, joined envoys from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Norway, Iceland, Ireland and Slovenia, who like Spain have already recognized a Palestinian state, also took part, alongside Brazil.
Sánchez’s response to Trump’s discussion with Zelensky: “Ukraine, Spain is with you”
Albares reiterates to Andrii Sybiha that “Spain is and will be with Ukraine” and his Ukrainian counterpart thanks him for “Spain’s continued support”
Albares begins Middle East tour to promote regional de-escalation of the conflict
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, today begins a tour of the Middle East that will first take him to Lebanon, then to Iraq, where he will hold meetings at the highest level with the aim of boosting the chances of achieving a regional de-escalation that will result in greater stability in the area.