DaysofPal – Thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao following a call by the “Global Sumud – Basque Country” platform to protest police intervention during the reception of activists returning from the “Sumud Flotilla” mission, which sought to break the blockade on Gaza.
The protests began in Arriaga Theatre Square in central Bilbao, where organizers held a press conference accusing the Basque regional police force, known as Ertzaintza, of deliberately disrupting the public reception for activists arriving at Loiu Airport.
Organizers said the police intervention “was not accidental,” arguing that it was intended to “cut off popular solidarity with Gaza and with the flotilla members.”
The “Global Sumud – Basque Country” platform stated that video footage documenting the incident “speaks for itself,” noting that previous receptions for Freedom Flotilla activists at Bilbao Airport had taken place without incident. According to the organizers, “the presence of the Ertzaintza was what created tension this time.”
Spanish police reportedly assaulted several activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla after their arrival at Bilbao Airport and arrested four people during clashes between police and supporters welcoming the activists home. The returning activists had been part of the flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces at sea, where participants were reportedly detained, assaulted, and later released.
The incident occurred after crowds gathered inside the airport’s arrivals hall to welcome six activists returning on a flight from Turkey following their release from Israeli custody.
Protest organizers accused Basque police of arriving at the airport “to suppress the spirit of solidarity and break the morale of the flotilla,” while insisting that “police violence was met with the endless dignity of the people.”
Participants also directed sharp criticism at the Basque regional government, accusing it of covering up “Israeli war crimes” while maintaining political and security relations with Israel.
Organizers further said that certain Basque business figures were profiting from cooperation with “Zionism and imperial wars,” reflecting growing anger among pro-Palestinian groups over European ties with Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
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