Spain, Belgium and Turkey Condemn Israeli Interception of Gaza Aid Flotilla

MADRID: Spain summoned Israel’s top representative in Madrid on Thursday after Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and pro-Palestinian activists en route to Gaza. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed that 65 Spaniards were aboard the convoy.

“Today I summoned the charge d’affaires here in Madrid,” Albares told public broadcaster TVE. Israel had already withdrawn its ambassador from Spain last year following Madrid’s recognition of a Palestinian state.

Shortly afterward, Belgium also issued a diplomatic protest. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot denounced the interception as “unacceptable”, saying the flotilla was boarded in international waters. “The manner in which they were boarded and the location… are unacceptable, which is why I summoned the ambassador,” he told lawmakers in Brussels.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined the condemnation, saying the incident proved that Israel’s government had “no intention of allowing peace to grow”. Addressing members of his AK Party in Ankara, Erdogan said Turkey was taking all necessary steps to protect its citizens aboard the flotilla.

The United Nations human rights office also weighed in, warning that the interception expanded Israel’s “unlawful blockade” of Gaza. Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan stressed that as the occupying power, Israel was obliged under international law to allow food and medical supplies into the territory, or facilitate humanitarian relief without delay. He further called on Israel to respect the legal rights of those detained.

Germany meanwhile urged Israel to guarantee the safety of those on board. A foreign ministry spokesperson said Berlin had contacted Israeli authorities to remind them of their obligations under international law and the need for proportionality. “We also called for the protection of all those on board to be guaranteed — to our knowledge, this has been done,” the spokesperson said, adding that the German embassy was trying to verify whether any nationals were involved.

The widespread criticism came after Israeli forces stopped around 40 boats carrying aid and international activists — including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg — toward Gaza. Live footage from the convoy showed Israeli soldiers equipped with helmets and night-vision gear boarding vessels as passengers, wearing life jackets, raised their hands in submission.

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Pakistan Strongly Condemns Israel’s Interception of Global Sumud Flotilla

A separate video released by Israel’s foreign ministry showed Thunberg seated on deck surrounded by armed personnel.

According to the Global Sumud Flotilla’s official tracker, 40 boats were marked as “intercepted” or “assumed intercepted”. Two others were listed as still “sailing”, though one appeared to be immobile.

The incident has sparked renewed debate over Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the legality of intercepting civilian vessels on the high seas.