Spanish police arrested four Global Sumud Flotilla activists at Bilbao Airport on Saturday after clashes broke out following the return of members of the Spanish delegation from Turkey, according to Spanish reports and videos circulating online.
Footage from Bilbao Airport, in Spain’s autonomous Basque Country, showed officers dragging activists across the terminal floor and striking them with batons.
The incident came after Spain summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires on Wednesday over National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s controversial video taunting detained flotilla activists. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned what he described as the “monstrous,” “inhumane,” and “disgraceful” treatment of activists aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry seized on the Bilbao footage to strike back at Madrid, demanding an explanation from the Spanish government while accusing the flotilla activists of bringing disorder wherever they go.
“We demand an explanation from the Spanish government regarding its treatment of the flotilla anarchists,” the ministry said.
FM Sa’ar denounces videos, summons Spanish mission head to explain
Additionally, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar directed the ministry to summon the Spanish charge d’affaires to a meeting in order to clarify the videos.
In a separate post on X/Twitter, the ministry wrote: “The flotilla anarchists are driving the Spanish police crazy.”
“The flotilla anarchists bring provocation and chaos everywhere. Here they are in Greece,” it added in another post.
According to Spanish newspaper El País, the four people arrested were accused of serious disobedience, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer.
The confrontation seemingly began after six members of the Spanish flotilla delegation posed for cameras following their arrival from Turkey. A person waiting in the terminal attempted to approach the group but was stopped by a police officer, sparking unrest that led to the arrests.
The Basque Security Department said its Interior Department had opened an investigation to determine whether the officers’ actions complied with current regulations.
Flotilla, Basque party condemn police response
Spanish-Basque left-wing party EH Bildu condemned what it called the “harsh” police response, saying violence against activists engaged in “solidarity” and “defense of human rights” was unjustified.
“The violence used against an action symbolizing solidarity and the defense of human rights is completely unjustified. It is unacceptable to beat and arrest people in the Basque Country who were kidnapped by Israel,” the party said in a statement on X.
EH Bildu said it would request the urgent appearance of Basque Security Minister Bingen Zupiria before the Basque parliament to explain the police action. The party also called for the immediate release of the four detainees and demanded an end to what it described as hostility toward solidarity actions.
Global Sumud Flotilla also condemned the incident, claiming in a statement that police used force after a family member waiting in the arrivals terminal attempted to cross a barrier to embrace one of the returning activists. “What should have been a moment of relief and familial comfort after such a harrowing experience was interrupted by even more brutality,” the group said.
The airport clashes unfolded as Spain was already facing a separate wave of unrest, with tens of thousands marching in Madrid on Saturday to demand Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s resignation over a series of corruption scandals. Officials said at least seven police officers were injured, while three people were arrested after masked protesters tried to push through barriers near the Moncloa Palace, Sanchez’s official residence.
Anna Barsky and Reuters contributed to this report.
