Madrid Opens Probe into Israeli Gaza Flotilla Detentions
Spain’s National Court has opened an investigation into senior Israeli military officials over reported interception and detention of activists aboard the Global Sumud flotilla, limiting the probe to incidents involving Spanish-flagged vessels.
Judge Francisco de Jorge accepted complaints filed by the Communist Party of Spain, United Left Federal, and several activists against Israeli military chief of staff Eyal Zamir and Israeli Navy Commander Ram Rothberg.
The complaints concern the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip when it was stopped by Israeli forces on October 1.
According to the court ruling, Israeli forces boarded several vessels in international waters, around 70 nautical miles off the coast, including ships sailing under the Spanish flag.
The plaintiffs stated that Israeli personnel forcibly seized control of the vessels, damaged property, and unlawfully detained crew members, including dozens of Spanish citizens.
The complaints further stressed that detainees were transferred to the Israeli Ketziot Prison, where they were subjected to torture and denied effective legal and diplomatic assistance.
Judge de Jorge also requested clarification from the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on whether the illegal detentions are covered by its ongoing investigations into Israeli genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in the Palestinian territories.
The judge is also seeking to determine whether the Spanish proceedings could overlap with or interfere with the ICC’s investigations.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has said it documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse during the detention of activists.
A journalist who participated in the humanitarian mission also reported that detainees were subjected to beatings, humiliation, sexual abuse, stun grenades, rubber bullets, and prolonged detention after Israeli naval forces intercepted vessels attempting to challenge the blockade on Gaza.
The report mentioned that Israeli marines punched and kicked detainees, while some activists were subjected to tasering, stomping, or sexual assault during their detention.
A doctor accompanying the flotilla reportedly documented at least 35 fractured ribs among detainees from the first intercepted vessel alone, in addition to more than 10 accounts of sexual abuse.
Source: El Pais
