Bilbao, Spain. Around 2,000 protesters marched in the Spanish city of Bilbao on Sunday to condemn the Basque police’s treatment of activists from a Gaza aid flotilla after their return from detention in Israel.
Airport clashes
Images broadcast by state broadcaster TVE showed a relative of one of the six returning activists being forcefully stopped by a police officer on Saturday at Bilbao airport, leading to scuffles between both sides. The footage also showed police striking people with batons and pinning others to the ground while onlookers jeered.
Before that, the activists had appeared to block the exit for other passengers, and police tried to move them.
Police investigation
The Basque regional police said on Sunday that it had launched an investigation to determine whether officers complied with procedures. Reuters said it had contacted the Spanish government for comment.
Sunday march
During Sunday’s demonstration, pro-Palestinian protesters carried banners criticizing the Basque police force and accusing the local government of being complicit with Zionism.
Detention allegations
The activists were released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza. Organizers said on Friday that the activists were subjected to abuse while in Israeli detention, with several hospitalized with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape.
Israel’s prison service denied the allegations, and Reuters was unable to verify the claims independently.
International reaction
Spain was among several Western governments that on Thursday expressed anger after Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video mocking the activists as they were pinned to the ground in a prison.
Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on the Palestinian territories, has called for those responsible for events at Bilbao airport to be held accountable, while Amnesty International has demanded a thorough investigation.
The Israeli Embassy in Spain has demanded an explanation from the Spanish government over the events at Bilbao airport.