Spanish PM blasts Netanyahu, demands release of flotilla activist, rejects 5% defence target
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has demanded the release of a Spanish citizen detained by Israeli authorities following the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, accusing the Israeli government of violating international law.
Speaking at a PSOE rally in Málaga on Friday, Sánchez said Spain would continue to defend international law and called for the detainee’s immediate release.
“We demand the release of the Spanish citizen who has been unlawfully detained by Netanyahu’s government,” Sánchez said.
His comments followed the interception of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led aid mission seeking to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Israeli authorities detained activists from the flotilla, including Spanish-Swedish activist Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, according to AP.
The flotilla began its Barcelona departure window in mid-April, with organisers describing it as one of the largest civilian-led maritime missions to Gaza. AP reported that more than 70 boats and over 1,000 activists were involved in the mission, with departures delayed by bad weather.
Israel’s foreign ministry said about 175 activists were detained after Israeli forces intercepted 22 vessels. Flotilla organisers accused Israel of carrying out an unlawful seizure in international waters, while several governments criticised the operation. Turkey described the interception as “piracy,” and Italy demanded the release of its nationals.
At the Málaga rally, Sánchez also rejected calls for Spain to raise defence spending to five percent of GDP, a target backed by the United States and discussed within NATO.
“It would mean an extra €3,000 per citizen in Spain, €80 billion more per year,” Sánchez said. “That would mean raising taxes or cutting the welfare state.”
He added that his government would “always stand on the side of the welfare state.”
Sánchez has previously opposed NATO’s proposed five percent defence spending target, calling it unreasonable and incompatible with Spain’s welfare priorities. Spain later secured an agreement with NATO allowing it to avoid the five percent target while raising defence spending to 2.1 percent of GDP.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
