Bilbao airport police attack & arrest flotilla activists

[Opinion. What is most shocking is that Basque country has been sekking independence from Spain for decades.]

Gaza flotilla activists faced police violence upon return to Spain. Israel: “It’s hypocrisy"

Rafael Salido & Sertac Aktan

EuroNews: 24 May 2026

A group of Spanish activists from the Gaza flotilla, expelled from Israel, clashed with police at Bilbao airport, resulting in beatings by officers and four arrests.

The arrival in Spain of a group of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla was overshadowed on Saturday by tense scenes at Bilbao airport, where clashes broke out with the Ertzaintza, the autonomous police force for the Basque Country. The disturbances ended with four people being arrested on charges of serious disobedience, resisting authority and assaulting a police officer.

According to police sources, the incidents occurred as six members of the flotilla, who had just landed, were posing for the media and blocked one of the arrivals' exits at the airport. Officers then intervened, considering that the security cordon had been breached, which led to shoving and moments of high tension between activists, supporters and police.

Videos circulating on social media show serious clashes between police and members of the activist group. Some activists are seen pinned to the ground before being handcuffed.

The return of these activists had been delayed by a day because two of them were taken to the hospital, injured when they were intercepted by Israeli forces as they tried to reach the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid.

Those arrested were handed over to the judicial authorities following the incidents at Bilbao airport.

Arrival in Barcelona passes off without incident

By contrast, another 20 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla landed at Barcelona-El Prat airport around midday, with no incidents reported.

Around 200 people greeted them in the terminal with Palestinian flags and welcome banners. Among those present were political representatives and public officials who showed their support for the initiative.

France has barred Minister Ben Gvir from entering its territory, deeming his actions "unacceptable" towards French and other European citizens detained during the interception of the flotilla.

Paris has said that the decision responds to a series of "humiliating and threatening" behaviours, including videos shared on social networks in which the minister is seen amg activists who are bound and kneeling.

The French foreign minister has stressed that although the French government does not agree with the flotilla initiative, "it cannot tolerate public officials intimidating or mistreating European citizens," and indicated that France and Italy will call for sanctions at the European Union level against the Israeli official.

It was quite a different story in Istanbul where the flotilla activists were greeted by govt officials and celebrities. The injured were taken to hospital and the activist filled the airport.