Legal loophole means Spain could detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

A Spanish judge has found a loophole in the country’s legal system which would allow Spain to detain Benjamin Netanyahu for questioning if he visits the country.

The case relates to a 2010 raid by Israel on the Mavi Marmara Freedom Flotilla and Israeli Prime Minister and six other Israeli officers may be held in Spain according to the judge.

Judge Jose de la Mata of Spain’s National Court told police to monitor ‘The Seven’, as the ministers have been called, and who have been sued in the past by three Spanish nationals aboard the flotilla which was on the way to Gaza when ten Turkish nationals were killed.

In the original 2010 lawsuit the National Court´s ruling stated that the three should go to the International Court of Justice at The Hague as the case was outside its jurisdiction.

The new loophole however, discovered by Judge de la Mata, means that authorities in Spain could open the investigation again if any of the Israeli officials enter Spain.

Emmanuel Nachshon, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson, said: “We consider it to be a provocation. We are working with the Spanish authorities to get it cancelled. We hope it will be over soon.”

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