Spain Reaffirms Full Diplomatic Protection for Gaza Flotilla Participants

September 23, 2025 News
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares. (Photo: Sicherheitskonferenz, via Wikimedia Commons)

The minister’s remarks followed a joint statement led by Spain and co-signed by 16 other countries, which voiced concern for the safety of the flotilla.

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has reaffirmed Madrid’s full diplomatic and consular protection for participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla, rejecting threats issued by the Israeli government.

Albares underlined the peaceful and humanitarian nature of the civil society initiative in a statement on Monday, stressing that Spain “will react to any act that violates their freedom of movement, their freedom of expression, and international law,” the Anadolu news agency reported.

Joint Statement of Support

The minister’s remarks followed a joint statement led by Spain and co-signed by 16 other countries, which voiced concern for the safety of the flotilla.

The statement, issued on September16, emphasized the flotilla’s objectives of “peace and the provision of humanitarian aid, along with respect for international law, including humanitarian law.”

It called for “refraining from any illegal or violent acts against the Flotilla, and for respect for international law and international humanitarian law.”

The signatories included Türkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Slovenia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, and Thailand.

They warned that “any violation of international law and the human rights of Flotilla participants, including attacks on vessels in international waters or unlawful detentions, will result in accountability.”

Drone Attack in Tunisian Waters

Since the flotilla departed from Barcelona, the Spanish Foreign Ministry has maintained contact with the participants as well as with the foreign ministries of other countries whose nationals are on board, to analyze the situation and provide necessary protection.

A Symbol of Global Resistance: Why Israel Fears the Gaza Flotillas

After reports of a drone attack in Tunisian waters, Albares instructed Spain’s ambassador in Tunisia to immediately reach out to the participants, investigate the incident, and determine the assistance required.

He demanded that Tunisian authorities conduct an investigation into the attack and intensify coordination with counterparts from the countries involved.

“Spain will provide and is providing all consular and diplomatic protection to our nationals participating in this flotilla,” Albares reiterated, adding that Madrid is “closely monitoring the situation of the Flotilla to ensure they have all possible protection.”

‘Getting Closer to Gaza’

On Tuesday, the flotilla organizers said it was 613 nautical miles away from Gaza.

“We are getting closer to Gaza and closer to uniting as a complete fleet. Our humanitarian mission to reach Gaza and break Israel’s illegal blockade is undeterred by baseless accusations,” the statement noted.

“Every day, we’ll be sending updates as we approach the high-risk area inside Palestine’s territorial waters. Everyone onboard is relying on the world to keep your eyes on them. Your witness is their protection,” it added.

Israel’s Threats

The flotilla organizers on Tuesday rejected Israel’s demand that its vessels dock in Ashkelon to transfer humanitarian aid to Gaza, describing the request as part of Tel Aviv’s long-standing blockade of the Palestinian enclave.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Monday warned that flotilla ships would not be allowed to enter what it called an “active combat zone” and accused the Palestinian resistance group Hamas of organizing the mission.

It said aid could instead be unloaded at Ashkelon Port in southern Israel and transferred to Gaza “quickly and in a coordinated manner.”

The flotilla noted that rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned Israel’s restrictions as violations of international law and obstructions of impartial humanitarian assistance, the Anadolu news agency reported.

“Painting a peaceful humanitarian mission as a ‘breach of the law’ is a pretext for violence against civilians acting lawfully to deliver aid,” the statement continued, warning that such rhetoric “flouts international law” and places lives at risk.

‘To Serve Hamas’ Claims

On Tuesday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued another statement claiming “their mission to serve Hamas.”

The ministry threatened that Israel “will take the necessary measures to prevent its entry into the combat zone and to stop any violation of a lawful naval blockade, while making every possible effort to ensure the safety of its passengers.”

“We reiterate: if your intentions are sincere, transfer any such aid to the Ashkelon Marina so it can be forwarded promptly to the Gaza Strip in a peaceful and non-violent manner,” it added.

In response, Thiago Ávila, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, stated: “We are the ones sorry to see you insisting to stop a non-violent, humanitarian solidarity mission that wants to bring food and aid to children that you are starving to death.”

He added: “We have international law on our side and we do not fear you. We keep sailing for the children of Gaza.”

Largest Flotilla

The flotilla includes vessels carrying humanitarian aid, international activists and parliamentarians seeking to break Israel’s blockade by directly reaching Gaza.

It is the largest effort of its kind, aiming to reach Gaza, where 2.4 million Palestinians live under an Israeli blockade that has lasted 18 years.

Israel has previously intercepted Gaza-bound ships, seizing the vessels and deporting those on board. UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where more than 65,300 people have been killed since October 2023.

(Anadolu, PC)

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