Last Thursday, Israel arrested in international waters to the Palestinian-Spanish activist Saif Abukeshekwho participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza. According to his wife, he is in good health, although he remains in a state of shock. Something that has not stopped him from starting a hunger strike in protest of the situation.
In statements to the EFE agency, the Spaniard’s partner assures that she has been informed about how her husband is through the staff of the Spanish consulate in Tel Aviv. This Saturday the organization had a first contact with the Spanish citizen, who, together with the Brazilian activist Thiago Avilahas been transferred to Israel after being arrested in waters near Greece.
The meeting between the consulate staff and Saif did not last more than 10 minutes and served to confirm that he is in a “correct” state of health, despite presenting some “small injuries.”
An observation boat
As detailed by the woman, the Spanish activist had no intention of arriving in Gaza with the Global Sumun Flotilla to avoid danger, claiming that he was on a boat that only performed observation functions.
Their desire was to provide logistical services, as they did in the first flotilla that set sail from Barcelona a few months ago, when it only advanced as far as an Italian port and did not continue the journey further. “He is in shock. “He lamented that yesterday was one of his daughters’ birthdays and that he couldn’t even call her to congratulate her.”
Given the circumstances, ask for release of her husband, who was born in the refugee camp of Askar, in Nablusand has been living in Barcelona for years with his wife and three children. “He is just a humanitarian activist who has always worked to defend the Palestinian people“said his wife.
He is just a humanitarian activist who has always worked to defend the Palestinian people
Sallywhich is its name, calls on the Government of Pedro Sánchez to do “everything possible” to obtain his release and asks society to put pressure with protests in front of Israeli embassies and consulates to put an end to “the violence that Israel exercises against Palestinian citizens“.
They rule out links with other organizations
He Israeli Foreign Ministry has accused these two activists of maintaining ties with the Palestinian militant organization Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) who, he claims, has been classified as a terrorist by USA.
Sally has said she does not know why they are trying to link her husband with this organization and has limited her role to the support he provided to the organization. Global Sumud Fleet“a civil society movement whose acts and movements are legal.” “They are not violating any law, what they want to do is bring humanitarian aid to Gaza“.
Likewise, he has assured that Abukeshek was “mistreated” when he was boarded on the boat, where he was left “alone”, with his hands tied behind his back and his eyes blindfolded, according to his story.
