Saif Abukeshek, a Catalan-Palestinian activist residing in Barcelona, is expected to arrive at Barcelona-El Prat Airport (T1) at 16:10 on 10 May 2026, following his deportation from Israel. Abukeshek was released after six days of detention in an Israeli prison, according to the Global Sumud Flotilla.
He was arrested by the Israeli navy on 30 April in international waters off the coast of Crete. Abukeshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila were then taken to Israeli territory and held for nearly ten days. Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, confirmed on Saturday that Abukeshek would be deported via Egypt, arriving in Greece before flying to Catalonia.
Abukeshek's Message and Continued Mobilisation
From Athens, Abukeshek published a video on social media, thanking citizens for their support and calling for continued mobilisation until the Palestinian people are free. "I have heard your voices, and they have given me strength," he said, adding that his "suffering is not comparable" to that of the Palestinian people. He urged, "We must keep mobilising!"
Abukeshek stated, "I left behind thousands of Palestinians, prisoners, children, women, and men. I am convinced that the treatment I received cannot be compared to the suffering they endure. The testimonies we hear about the torture and violations they suffer daily... We must continue to mobilise. We cannot forget the Palestinian prisoners." He expressed gratitude to his legal team at Adalah, his family, and his fellow activists. "This is just one more step on the path. Our companions are still sailing. People at sea are doing their part. Now people need to rise up all over the world. We mobilise by land and by sea for a free Palestine."
Israeli Statement and Spanish Government Intervention
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday morning that it had deported Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila. "After concluding the investigation, the two professional provocateurs, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila, linked to the provocation flotilla, have been deported from Israel today. Israel will not allow any violation of the legitimate naval blockade on Gaza," the Ministry stated in a communiqué. Foreign Minister Albares posted on X that Abukeshek was flying back to Spain to reunite with his family, thanking the Spanish Embassies in Israel and Athens and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs team for their work.
Abukeshek began a dry hunger strike after his arrest at the Shikma detention centre in Ashkelon. An Israeli court extended his custody for several days, while Israel attributed alleged links to a terrorist organisation to him. The Spanish government considered the detention illegal from the outset, as it occurred in international waters, and demanded his immediate release, initiating discussions with the Israeli government. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that Israel had informed the consulate in Tel Aviv that Abukeshek would be released "in the coming hours" and expelled from the country.
Legal Challenges and Future Steps
Adalah, the human rights defence centre representing both activists, confirmed on Sunday that both Global Sumud Flotilla members had been "released and deported" by Israeli authorities. In a statement, the organisation denounced the entire procedure as "a flagrant violation of international law," from what it called "kidnapping in international waters" to "illegal detention in total isolation" and the "ill-treatment" they allegedly suffered during custody. The activists' return highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the Gaza blockade and the rights of those attempting to deliver aid.
