May 23, 2026, 9:31 p.mMay 23, 2026, 9:41 p.m
In Spain, the police at Bilbao airport acted very harshly against six returnees from the Gaza aid fleet and supporters who had been released by Israel. Video images from Spanish media showed officers repeatedly hitting people who were already lying on the ground with batons, dragging them along the ground and handcuffing their arms behind their backs. Spanish media were surprised by the images, as there is a lot of sympathy among the population for the Gaza aid fleet and the Palestinians.
Police in the Basque Country want to investigate the actions
It was initially unclear what triggered the violence. The Basque police Ertzaintza immediately announced an investigation into whether the officers’ actions complied with applicable regulations. Two returnees and two supporters were arrested for resisting state authority; three of them were released shortly afterwards, according to police.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X that it was demanding an explanation from the Spanish government about the harsh police operation against the activists. Israel had previously been accused of violent attacks by members of the aid fleet itself.
Activists reported abuses by Israel
Several members of the relief fleet, including Germans, have reported ill-treatment, beatings, assaults and torture by Israeli security forces after being detained by the Israeli army in international waters. The Foreign Office confirmed on Friday that activists from Germany were injured. A spokesman reiterated the federal government’s criticism of the “degrading treatment” of those arrested in Israel. Israel has rejected the allegations.
Around 430 activists with more than 50 boats wanted to break through the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip in order to bring relief supplies for the Palestinians into the Gaza Strip, according to their own statements. The Israeli Foreign Ministry spoke of a “PR campaign in the service of Hamas”. (sda/dpa)