Pedro Sanchez delivered a direct and pointed message to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu during a rally speech on Friday, as tensions continue to rise over the interception of a flotilla carrying international activists.

Speaking to supporters, Sanchez set out three clear points directed at the Israeli government.

‘I have three things to say to Netanyahu,’ he said.

‘Spain will always protect its citizens. We will always defend international law. And we demand the freedom of the Spanish citizen detained on the flotilla.’

His comments come amid a growing diplomatic row after Israeli forces intercepted a large aid flotilla in the Mediterranean, hundreds of miles from Gaza, in international waters near Crete.

The operation involved 22 boats and around 175 activists, according to organisers.

Activists claim Israeli forces boarded the vessels, damaged engines and detained those on board.

Israeli authorities say the move was necessary to stop the flotilla before it reached Israeli waters due to the scale of the operation.

Among those detained are two high-profile figures: Spanish-Swedish activist Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila, both members of the Global Sumud Flotilla steering committee.

The group says its mission was to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israeli officials have said the pair are being taken to Israel for questioning, alleging – without publicly providing evidence – that Abukeshek may have links to a terrorist organisation and that Avila was involved in illegal activity.

Spain and Brazil have strongly rejected Israel’s actions. In a joint statement, both governments accused Israel of the ‘kidnapping’ of their citizens in international waters and described the operation as a ‘flagrant violation of international law.’

They have demanded immediate consular access and the return of those detained.

The situation is rapidly becoming a wider diplomatic flashpoint, with pressure mounting on European governments to respond