The Spanish government increases diplomatic pressure on Israel over the Flotilla: "He is a European citizen"

MadridThe Minister of Foreign Affairs appeared urgently this Thursday in Congress to report on the actions he has taken to demand the immediate release of the Catalan-Palestinian citizen Saif Abukeshek, who was detained by Israel in international waters and is currently being held by an Israeli court. "He is a European citizen," he reaffirmed in his first intervention, demanding again that he be allowed to go immediately. Last week, Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza to provide humanitarian aid and, although it let most activists go, it is holding this Catalan-Palestinian citizen and the Brazilian Thiago Ávila accused of terrorism. As a protest, Saif Abukeshek is on a hunger and thirst strike. In his speech, Albares promised to increase all diplomatic pressure for his release, but also referred to the situation in Iran, demanding that they also release the Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi. He made the following announcements:

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs assured that the detention of the citizens of the Flotilla in international waters is "inadmissible" and even more so the detention that is being carried out. For this reason, he announced that he is summoning the representative of the Israeli embassy, the chargé d'affaires, Dana Erlich, to demand the immediate release of the Catalan-Palestinian citizen.
• The Spanish government has not only referred to the situation of the Flotilla and Israel, but has also taken advantage of the appearance to demand that Iran immediately release the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and distinguished activist for women, Narges Mohammadi. In this regard, it has announced that it has summoned Iran's ambassador in Madrid to address this issue. "I follow her situation with concern, she is in critical health conditions after her worsening in prison. She must receive the necessary medical attention and we demand her release," he stated.

From most of the chamber they have endorsed the protection of Spanish citizens abroad, also from the PP. "We ask the Spanish government to guarantee it", asserted the PP spokesperson, Carlos Javier Floriano. However, the right and the far-right Vox have accused Albares of having a double standard. "Where was your appearance in the case of the two Spaniards who are unjustly imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea in conditions of human incommunicado?", he asked, a situation —he said— denounced by the European Parliament. Or he added: "What about the Spanish citizens detained in Venezuela?". In short, Floriano accused the minister of waving the flag of Palestine to win votes in Andalusia, already in full electoral campaign.

"Your intervention is ridiculous", replied Minister Albares, "scandalous". "You have not condemned the actions of the state of Israel at any time", lamented the minister addressing the PP and Vox, "you have not asked me why I am appearing for those detained in Equatorial Guinea", he added, recalling that he is appearing this Thursday in Congress for the detainee in Israel because the left-wing parliamentary groups have requested it. In fact, the left-wing parties have supported the Spanish government, but have demanded that it go even further in diplomatic pressure on Israel, such as the suspension of the association agreement with the European Union or trade relations. A measure that, on the other hand, does not have the support of the rest of the European countries.