Ada Colau and the Esquerra Republicana councilor Jordi Coronas are summoned this week to the National Court to testify as part of a complaint filed against the State of Israel. The former mayor of Barcelona will appear on Tuesday, May 5, while the councilor will do so the following day.
Both politicians appear in the summary for their participation in a humanitarian flotilla that departed from the Catalan capital at the end of August bound for Gaza. The Israeli Army intercepted the vessel in October and proceeded to detain the activists who were traveling on board.
Denounce torture and war crimes
The lawsuit accuses Israeli authorities of systematic aggressions against human rights. The lawyers representing the complainants maintain that the facts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity due to the gravity of the abuses committed during the operation.
"The objective is to end Israel's impunity" - Ada Colau, former mayor of Barcelona
Colau has explained on the program Buenos días Barcelona that she considers it necessary to stop these actions because those responsible have no limits. The political leader hopes that this judicial route will serve as a symbol of pressure so that the Spanish State and the European Union become decisively involved in the conflict.
Two activists remain imprisoned in Gaza
The situation of Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila is the focus of the defense. Israeli security forces captured both on April 29 in international waters when they were trying to break the maritime blockade.
Currently they remain held in a prison in northern Gazaunder military custody. Colau has warned about the imminent danger to their lives due to the conditions of their confinement.
The former mayor assures that the detainees suffer severe torture and continued mistreatment. This concern is aggravated by Israel's recent approval of the death penalty for Palestinian inmates in the centers where the activists are located.
"We must put a stop to them because they have no limits" - Ada Colau, former mayor of Barcelona
Given this tense legal and humanitarian scenario, the request of the legal representatives is clear. They demand the immediate release of the two citizens to avoid a fatal outcome within the Israeli penitentiary system.