The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has once again summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Israeli Embassy in Spain, Dana Erlich, to demand that her country release the kidnapped Spaniard “on the high seas” and taken to an Israeli jail to be tried for alleged ties to the Islamist organization Hamas. The Israeli Justice has extended the detention of Saif Abukeshekwhom he accuses (without having shown evidence) of terrorism. His lawyers claim that he has been threatened with spending 100 years in prison.
The announcement of the call of the Israeli diplomat, the highest representative in our country since Tel Aviv left the position of ambassador uncovered as a diplomatic protest, was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, during a emergency appearance this Thursday in Congress. It has been summoned by the left-wing minority groups, Republicans, Sumar and Bildu, to discuss the Israeli army assault on the Global Sumud Flotillaa humanitarian organization that sought to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
“We demand his immediate release, and we have conveyed this to the Israeli authorities and I, personally, to my Israeli counterpart”said Minister José Manuel Albares, who stressed that he was arrested “in international waters”, something he described as unacceptable. “The Flotilla is a humanitarian organization,” the minister considered during the Plenary Session of the Congress of Deputies.
The minister assures that coordinating at all times with the Brazilian Governmentsince the other detainee, Thiago Ávila, is of that nationality. Both were kidnapped by Israeli army forces on the high seas along with 175 other activistsof multiple nationalities, who were released in Greece after an agreement between that country and Israel. On Sunday, Israeli diplomacy denied having subjected the detainees to ill-treatment, but they have appeared beaten and denounce inhumane conditions in the prison where they are held.
The minister has also announced that he has summoned the Iranian ambassador to Spain, Reza Zabib, due to the terrible health situation of the Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner, Narges Mohammadi, who remains unconscious and is fighting for her life after months without medical attention in a prison in Iran.
Negotiations with Brazil and the EU
The minister detailed that the Spanish consulate in Tel Aviv has closely followed the case, assisting the detainee in court appearances and maintaining permanent contact with his family. According to Albares, the Spanish citizen appeared before a judge on two occasions and his arrest has been extended until next May 10 after an Israeli court rejected the appeal presented by his lawyers. “The Spanish consul in Tel Aviv was present during the court hearing,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares. “The consul has already requested authorization to carry out a new consular visit today.”
This Thursday Albares defended the diplomatic action of the Spanish Government and assured that from the first moment efforts were activated “at all levels” to demand his release and provide consular assistance. “Our position is clear regarding the illegal detention of Saif Abukeshek and his transfer to Israel. We demand his immediate release,” said Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares. “This is an action contrary to international law,” said the minister, who insisted that he has discussed the matter not only with his Israeli counterpart, but also with the Brazilian and with the High Representative of the EU, Kaja Kallas. It is unacceptable that this type of action occurs in international waters,” concluded the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares.
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