On Saturday, one of Saif Abukeshek's daughters celebrated her birthday. She was expecting a call from her father, who was on board the flotilla heading towards Gaza as an observer. However, the girl did not hear from her father, who was detained by Israel during the assault on the group of vessels while they were still in international waters. Since May 1st, Abukeshek has been held in an Israeli prison. His situation is closely monitored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but his background, born as a Palestinian refugee with Spanish and Swedish nationality, complicates his situation. Israeli authorities accuse him of having ties to the terrorist group Hamas.
"The illegally detained Spanish citizen, Saif Abukeshek, was visited again on Monday by the Spanish consul in Tel Aviv, who was able to speak with him and check on his condition. The consul will continue to visit him regularly and remain in constant contact with his family. The Spanish Government demands his immediate release," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. His wife, Sally Issa, has been active in the media and in mobilizations in Barcelona, where they reside, to demand the release of her husband.
A very complicated situation because, although the Foreign Ministry does not provide details on the activist's condition, according to an Israeli NGO, he may have been subjected to torture. The Adalah Organization denounced the "mistreatment" that Abukeshek allegedly endured, while Foreign Ministry sources informed this newspaper that he is undergoing a daily medical check-up. After visiting him in prison, the NGO stated that he was subjected to "interrogations lasting up to eight hours" in a row. He was also allegedly threatened with death or with "spending 100 years in prison," as indicated by Adalah.
On Sunday, they extended the activist's detention until today, who is on a hunger strike but is drinking water. "We are waiting to find out if the State will request an extension of this detention," the organization pointed out.
The flotilla, consisting of more than 50 vessels, set sail from France, Spain, and Italy with the aim of breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza and delivering supplies to the devastated Palestinian territory. Israeli forces intercepted them in international waters off the coast of Greece early on Thursday. "The majority of his interrogation" focused on the flotilla, "a peaceful humanitarian mission, confirming that the detention is an attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid and solidarity," denounced Adalah.
Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian Thiago Ávila were detained along with 175 other activists of various nationalities, who were released in Greece following an agreement between that country and Israel. On Sunday, the Israeli diplomacy denied subjecting the detainees to mistreatment.
A similar situation occurred last October when 49 activists were detained in the previous flotilla. Among them was Reyes Rigo, who remained in prison longer, accused of biting an Israeli Forces officer. She was released and deported after reaching an agreement with the Prosecutor's Office.