Spanish police on Saturday detained four people at Bilbao airport following clashes that broke out after activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla returned home, according to officials in Spain.
Police were filmed hitting people with batons and dragging them across the floor, before detaining them.
Video of the incident showed supporters gathered in the arrivals hall to welcome six of the anti-Israel campaigners as they arrived on a flight from Turkey after having been detained and deported by Israeli forces.
When a relative of one of the activists tried to approach them, a police officer forcefully prevented him from doing so, leading to violent scuffles, public broadcaster TVE reported.
Images broadcast by the station show police striking people with batons at the airport and pinning others to the ground while being jeered by onlookers.
Get The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the terms
Four people were arrested for serious disobedience, resisting arrest and assaulting law enforcement officers, the Basque regional police force, the Ertzaintza, says in a statement.
Basque police (Ertzaintza) ATTACKED and ARRESTED Flotilla activists at Bilbao Airport in SPAIN as they returned from ISRAEL.
They were still in prison clothes when police moved in BEFORE they could even reunite with their families and friends. pic.twitter.com/XmE2BkMfAJ
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws1) May 23, 2026
“Following what happened at the airport, the Ertzaintza internal affairs division has launched an investigation to determine whether the officers’ conduct complied with procedures,” it added.
We demand an explanation from the Spanish government regarding its treatment of the flotilla anarchists. pic.twitter.com/RHMPVAWbwz
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 23, 2026
Sharing a video of officers beating and detaining the activists, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said: “We demand an explanation from the Spanish government regarding its treatment of the flotilla anarchists.”
The incident came after National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked a diplomatic incident on Wednesday over a video he released showing him taunting the activists as they were forced to kneel on the floor with their hands bound. The video triggered an international outcry, with dozens of countries condemning Israel’s treatment of the detained activists.
Spain, which has led Europe in anti-Israel policy and rhetoric over the past several years, issued one of the sharpest condemnations of Ben Gvir’s behavior and called on the European Union to suspend its trade agreement with Israel.
The Spanish government did not immediately comment on the incident at the Bilbao airport.
Basque police officers detain members of the Global Sumud Flotilla upon their arrival at Bilbao airport on May 23, 2026. (Idurre Etxaburu / AFP)
Relations between Spain and Israel have plummeted since Madrid began heavily criticizing Jerusalem over the Gaza war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terror atrocities in Israel.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called Israel’s subsequent military campaign against Hamas in Gaza a “genocide” — a charge that Israel firmly denies.
Israel recalled its ambassador after Madrid recognized a Palestinian state in 2024, while Spain permanently recalled its own ambassador to Israel in March 2026.
Which gorgeous bird do you prefer?
THIS MONTH ONLY: Join our reader support group for as little as $6/month and receive an exclusive tote bag featuring one of Israel’s native birds.
Choose between the Duchifat (orange), Israel’s national bird, or the Shaldag (blue), a beloved symbol of the Israeli landscape.
As a member of the Times of Israel Community, you’ll also enjoy:
- An ad-free experience of our site and podcasts.
- Exclusive access to award-winning films via DocuNation.
- Weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.
Join ToI Community & claim my bag
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You’re a dedicated reader
That’s why we started the Times of Israel – to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel