Spain summons Israeli chargé d’affaires after flotilla interception

Spain’s Foreign Ministry summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Israeli embassy in Madrid on Thursday, following the detention of several Spanish nationals taking part in the “Flotilla of Resilience.”

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told public broadcaster TVE, “I summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Israeli embassy in Madrid today,” adding that 65 Spaniards were on board the flotilla.

Israel withdrew its ambassador from Madrid last year after Spain recognised a Palestinian state.

Organisers of the international “Flotilla of Resilience” said on Wednesday night that the Israeli navy intercepted their convoy in international waters as it headed to Gaza, carrying food and medicine intended to break the blockade on the territory.

The convoy comprises more than 40 civilian vessels carrying around 500 participants, including members of parliaments from several countries, lawyers and international activists, among them Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.