Spain promised In writing total consular protection to Spaniards embarked on the flotilla, but for now the Foreign Ministry does not know how many are. The Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, said this morning that “there are 65 Spaniards who have located within the global flotilla.” However, from the Global Sumud Flotilla Spain confirm to this newspaper that the real figure is 52.
“All people have been taken into account that They have reported their presence in the flotilla At some point, seeking to avoid the lack of protection of any Spanish citizen, “they affirm questions from this newspaper Official Sources of the Foreign Ministry.” The circumstance could occur that Certain people would have decided not to embark, Despite having informed in the opposite direction, or having dropped along the various stops of the journey. The definitive number will have it as soon as the consul can meet with them. In any case, every Spanish of the flotilla has our diplomatic and consular protection. “
Indeed, some Spaniards have landed during the journey, for example due to disease or ships of the ships in which they were traveling. But the difference goes beyond a possible error. Can you without an exhaustive list check the general consul of Spain in Jerusalem that all embarked and retained are well and access consular protection during their detention in Israel?
Archive – The activist and former mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau during the farewell to the Global Sunat Flotilla in the port of Barcelona, on August 31, 2025, in Barcelona, Catalunya (Spain) / Kike Rincón – Europa Press – Archive
Among the Spaniards there are politicians such as There is colau (Common), Lucía Muñoz Dalda y Serigne Mbaye (We can), María Pilar Castillejo y Adrià Plazas Vidal (CUP), Juan Bordera (Compromís) and Jordi Crowns Martirel (ERC). There are journalists from El País, Public, AJ+ and Channel Red, in addition the trade unionists Saturnino Mercader (CGT), Manuel García Morales (CCOO) the Eduard Lucas y Ariadna Masmitjà ‘Masmi’ (IAC-Catac) or the artist, activist and sailor Nicole Montserrat León Avilés. Among the best known international crew is the activist Greta Thunberg.
The Government of Spain signed with another 15 countries a commitment to protection its citizens present in the flotilla to Gaza. The president of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, announced that he would send a military ship, the fury, to help them in case of incident. The ship, which departed last Wednesday, arrived late to the assault, according to the spokesmen of the flotilla, because it was at half a maximum speed, although the government says it was in the “radius of action” to intervene.
Albares has called for consultations in the Ministry this afternoon to Israel’s business in Spain, Dana Erlich, Mission Chief in the absence of Ambassador. They will protest the assault in international waters and demand good treatment from nationals, according to the minister, who has also announced a consular emergency group. “Those citizens have to be where they must always be: free to move, and immediately return to Spain. Activists are peaceful, their goal is humanitarian and do not represent threat to Israel or anyone. They exercised their basic right of ‘innocent step’ in international waters.”
Interrogations without a military -based lawyer
A diplomatic source with experience in crisis management with flotillas to break the block over Gaza (which follow each other Since Israel imposed it two decades ago), says there are only two ways to obtain the real figure: speaking with the organizers of the flotilla or with the Israel authorities. That same source ensures that the consulate can be proactive in obtaining the real list, consulting with those or other sources.
The problem is that, at first, The Spaniards are in the hands of military. After disembarking in the port of Ashdod, it is most likely that they will be questioned in the military base of that port. There they do not let the consul of any country into, and the detainees are devoid of their belongings, which are put in a separate bag. There is a link between the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy and Consulate of Spain, but there is no communication with the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
A relative of one of the Spaniards arrested and member of the Flow Support Group confirms to this newspaper that effectively They have already been interrogated thereand without the presence of lawyers. The flotilla works with the lawyers group Isthe Legal Support Center for the Arab Minority of Israel. At 4:00 pm this afternoon they have already allowed lawyers to enter, confirm that group.
Israel finally allows us to attend lawyers attending deportation / .
According to the aforementioned diplomatic source, now the Spaniards, like the rest of the hundreds of activists and politicians of half a hundred nationalitiesthey will probably be passed to the Immigrant Detention Center near Ben Gurion airport, in Tel Aviv.
There they will be until they are deported on the first commercial flight, If they sign the letter in which they recognize having illegally entered Israeldespite having been arrested in international waters. If they do not, the future is more uncertain. Most likely they will be deported, but after spending several days detained. But it is not ruled out that it is decided to open a trial against them or that they are sent to a jail in the Negev desert. Part of the vans sent to Ashdod are penitentiary, according to face -to -face witnesses.
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