<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>All the Spanish activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla who remained detained by Israel, except for a woman who remains detained for assaulting a prison official, left Tel Aviv on Monday, returning to Spain.</strong></h4> "A group of 27 Spaniards from the Global Sumud flotilla who remained in Israel has returned to Spain via Athens. Those who have voluntarily expressed their willingness to do so will arrive in Madrid at Adolfo Suárez-Barajas Airport by military plane, as well as people from other EU countries. Two other groups will travel to Barcelona and Bilbao on commercial flights," reported Foreign Affairs sources. “Another 27 Spaniards from the flotilla are already on their way to Spain. The telephone numbers +34 91 000 1249 and +972(0)505772641 remain operational for the families. We continue to offer diplomatic and consular protection until the last Spaniard is free,” wrote Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on social media. The Global Sumud Flotilla has specified that the plane carrying the Spaniards has already landed in Athens and is scheduled to arrive in Madrid after midnight. The departure of this group comes one day after the arrival in Madrid of a first group of 21 people, including former mayor Ada Colau, on a flight from Tel Aviv managed and paid for by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A total of 49 Spaniards were traveling on the flotilla. According to Israeli diplomatic sources, the only one Spanish activist who has yet to be released is her detention, which was extended this Sunday until Wednesday after being accused of biting a prison official at Ktziot prison during a medical examination. Hours earlier, the minister assured, in statements to TVE, that the 28 Spaniards still being held in Israel would return to Spain this Monday. He also stated that he had spoken with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and insisted that, "at this moment, the urgent, the important thing is to focus on ensuring that the 28 who remain held in Israel can return to Spain today, but there will also be time to draw conclusions and demand that Israel be held accountable." For her part, Ada Colau denounced the Israeli authorities' mistreatment of members of the Flotilla and warned, in statements to TV3, of her intention to "file a complaint because it cannot go unpunished." “They've beaten us, dragged us on the ground, blindfolded us, tied our hands and feet, put us in cages, and insulted us,” activist Rafael Borrego denounced after landing in Madrid this Sunday. “They've prevented us from sleeping, denied us medical care, refused to let us speak to lawyers at any time, and prevented us from receiving consular assistance,” he added. Meanwhile, the new Freedom Flotilla, carrying seven Spaniards and which departed more than a week ago, is now some 190 nautical miles (about 350 kilometers) from the coast of the Gaza Strip.
