Spanish police clash with Global Sumud activists at Bilbao airport

Clashes at Bilbao Airport

Spanish police detained four activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla at Bilbao Airport on Saturday following clashes during the group's arrival from a humanitarian mission to Gaza, according to Spain's public broadcaster RTVE. The incidents occurred when six flotilla members arrived and gathered near the arrivals area for media coverage, reportedly obstructing passenger access through one of the terminal gates.

Police officers intervened after some supporters allegedly crossed a security cordon, leading to moments of tension between officers and activists, the report said. Four people were detained on charges including serious disobedience, resisting authority, and assaulting police officers. Those detained included two flotilla members and two supporters.

Spain's regional security authorities said an internal investigation had been launched to determine whether officers acted in line with existing operational procedures. The activists had originally been expected to return a day earlier, but delayed their trip after two flotilla members were hospitalized due to injuries allegedly sustained during their illegal detention by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Welcome in Barcelona

Around 20 flotilla activists arrived separately at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, where they were welcomed by approximately 200 supporters carrying Palestinian flags and banners. The reception stood in contrast to the tense scenes in Bilbao hours earlier.

Among those present at the reception were Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun and European Parliament member Jaume Asens. Both officials expressed solidarity with the activists' efforts to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, according to local media reports.

Mission to Gaza

The Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla said Tuesday that all 50 vessels in its convoy had been seized by Israel during the attempt to reach Gaza. The flotilla — carrying 428 people from 44 countries — departed last Thursday from the Turkish district of Marmaris in a renewed attempt to break the Israeli blockade imposed on the territory since 2007.

Türkiye safely evacuated 422 humanitarian aid volunteers from 41 countries, including 85 Turkish citizens who were part of the flotilla, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said late Thursday. The volunteers had been attempting to deliver supplies to the Gaza Strip, where the blockade has pushed most of the population to the brink of starvation.