Spain’s National Court has launched an investigation into senior Israeli military officials over the alleged illegal detention of activists during the interception of the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza, according to a report published by El País on July 10.
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 investigation is limited to incidents involving vessels sailing under the Spanish flag.
The complaints stem from the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip when Israeli forces boarded the convoy on Oct. 1. According to the court ruling, Israeli personnel intercepted several vessels in international waters, approximately 70 nautical miles from the coast, including ships registered under the Spanish flag.
The plaintiffs allege that Israeli forces forcibly seized control of the vessels, caused damage to property and unlawfully detained crew members and activists, including dozens of Spanish nationals.
The complaints further claim that those detained were transferred to Israel’s Ketziot Prison, where they were allegedly subjected to torture and denied effective legal representation and diplomatic assistance.
As part of the proceedings, Judge de Jorge has requested the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to clarify whether the alleged unlawful detentions are already covered by the court’s ongoing investigations into alleged Israeli genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Palestinian territories. The inquiry is intended to determine whether the Spanish investigation could overlap or conflict with the ICC’s jurisdiction.
The case marks one of the latest legal efforts in Europe seeking accountability over the Israel’s treatment of activists participating in humanitarian missions to Gaza.