Protesters in Spain condemn police handling of Gaza flotilla activists
Protesters in Bilbao, Spain, gathered to denounce the police's treatment of Gaza flotilla activists upon their return from detention in Israel. The demonstration followed an incident at the airport where police clashed with relatives of the activists, leading to allegations of excessive force. Calls for investigations into both the police actions and the treatment of the activists in Israel have emerged from various organizations and officials.
- ▪Around two thousand protesters took to the streets of Bilbao to condemn police actions.
- ▪The Basque police have launched an investigation into their officers' conduct during the incident.
- ▪Activists reported abuse while in Israeli detention, with several hospitalized and allegations of sexual assaults made.
- ▪The Israeli Embassy in Spain has requested an explanation from the Spanish government regarding the airport events.
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Protesters in Spain condemn police handling of Gaza flotilla activistsSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 24, 2026, 11:28 PMUpdated May 24, 2026, 11:28 PMMADRID, May 24 - Around two thousand protesters took to the streets of the Spanish city of Bilbao on Sunday to condemn the Basque police's treatment of activists from a Gaza aid flotilla on their return from detention in Israel.When a relative of one of the six returning activists tried to approach them at Bilbao airport on Saturday, a police officer forcefully prevented him from doing so, leading to scuffles between both sides, images from state broadcaster TVE showed.Images showed police striking people with batons and pinning others to the ground while being jeered by onlookers.
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