The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has communicated this Saturday that the Israeli authorities will proceed to release the Spanish activist Saif Abukeshek "in the coming hours". The Spanish-Palestinian was arrested last Thursday during an operation by the Israeli Army in international waters, when he was traveling aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla with humanitarian aid bound for Gaza.
According to what the minister detailed in an audio sent by his Department to the media, the Israeli authorities have transferred this information to the Government through the Consul of Spain in Tel Aviv. In addition to the imminent release, they have communicated the start of a deportation procedure from Israel through the Tada crossing, in Egypt.
"From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we are working intensely so that at the moment Saif's departure occurs, he returns to Spain with his family as soon as possible," Albares has pointed out, underlining the Executive's involvement in monitoring the case.
The head of Foreign Affairs has added that "it is a moment of great happiness and we will spare no effort for his prompt return to Spain", insisting that the Government's objective is to guarantee a quick and safe return of the activist.
Abukeshek and the also Brazilian activist Thiago de Ávila were intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters near Greece, when they were heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian material. Both began a hunger strike on May 1st in protest of their detention and, in Abukeshek's case, he also decided to stop drinking water.
The Spanish Executive has demanded his release on multiple occasions, after denouncing that the Israeli boarding of the Flotilla was "an action contrary to International Law". Albares has also reiterated that, in the face of the accusations presented by Israel during the judicial proceedings, there is "not even remotely" any link between Abukeshek and the militias of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.