Lucía Muñoz: "In prison, they told us we were terrorists, murderers of Jewish babies."

PalmShe's still processing everything she's experienced in recent weeks with the Global Sumud Flotilla, along with Alejandra Martínez and Reyes Rigo, who spent more time there after biting a civil servant. What was supposed to be a ten-day journey to Palestine turned into a long and difficult trip, with some very complicated days in an Israeli prison. Activist Lucía Muñoz (Palma, 1993) takes stock of her experience, the criticism she's received, and the intersection of local and global politics.

How are you? Have you come to terms with everything that's happened to you? How are Alejandra and Reyes?

— The three of us are excited. We've participated in a mission that has made a significant contribution to the Palestinian solidarity movement. We're also exhausted. Alejandra and I haven't stopped since we landed in Madrid, because Reyes stayed in Israel, and we felt like this wasn't over. Upon arriving in Palma, the three of us resumed many pending issues and worked to make the strike work [the October 15 strike]. We haven't had much time to recover our emotions and assimilate what we've experienced, but I hope we can do so soon.

Have you been scared? How have you experienced the most tense situations? Have you heard that you were in danger, despite being a citizen of a country in the Global North?

— It's a question I've been asked quite a bit, and we always say that it's scarier to live in a world that does nothing when there's a genocide being broadcast live. However, it's true that there were times when I did feel more fear. And that's despite the fact that we were generally prepared for any scenario that might occur: an attack, being intercepted, or a bureaucratic failure. One of those moments was the day of the Israeli drone attack while we were sailing. That day, the protocol was activated, and there was a lot of uncertainty about where the attack might go. Then, when we boarded the plane, Reyes wasn't there.

Didn't they give you any explanation about your partner?

— No. They didn't tell you anything at all. Reyes was taken to an isolated cell with another inmate after a struggle over beds and after being raped. They returned the other inmate to our cell, and we asked where Reyes was. At that point, they told us Reyes wasn't there, that she was with the police and would be back in the morning, and that was it. The next morning we asked again, because they were already taking us out to be deported, and they didn't respond. We had information that they had taken her to an isolated cell, but she hadn't returned, nor would they tell us where she was. We stood firm and refused to leave until they told us where Reyes was. In the end, they took us out by force. They tied our hands and dragged us toward the bus. When we arrived at the airport, we were very alert to see if we could see her. And, by the time we boarded the plane, we walked all the way around and didn't see her. That's how we knew we weren't all there. We were very anxious, and when we arrived in Madrid, we decided we wouldn't leave until Reyes returned, because we had to put as much pressure on him as possible.

What were those five days like while you were kidnapped by the Israeli government?

— Indeed, it was a kidnapping, because we were part of a legal mission with the goal of breaking a criminal blockade and opening a humanitarian corridor, which, by the way, is a legal obligation of governments. They weren't doing it, so civil society stepped in. We were sailing through international waters and then had to enter Palestinian waters directly. But they intercepted us, and from there it all began. We spent a few days in a prison in the middle of the desert [Ketziot], where they also hold Palestinian prisoners. The first day we were in the cell, Ben Gvir [Israeli Minister of National Security] entered in the middle of the night with about 20 men, some of whom were carrying rifles. He told us we were terrorists, murderers of Jewish babies, and that prison was where we belonged. At a time like that, you're completely in shock. And from then on, we were deprived of our basic rights. The next day, our consular assistance was cut off, and we also had no legal representation, even with a trial. In fact, when we were brought before the judge, I asked for a lawyer to make the statement, and they told me I could call a lawyer after the trial. One of the most serious things is that they didn't provide medication to those who needed it, or medical care, or anything. This was denied to us, even though there were people with chronic illnesses who needed it, like diabetes and even cancer. They didn't give us bottled water either. It came from the tap, and we were unsure if it was safe to drink, but it was the only thing we could drink. And the food also came in droppers.

How did he keep his spirits up?

— My cellmates and I sheltered each other quite a bit, and that's partly what saves us. Besides, we were very aware that we were receiving this kind of low-impact torture, which isn't even close to what they do to the Palestinians.

Will you identify signs related to Palestinian prisoners?

— Yes. There were marks and writings in Arabic on the wall. Some of the inmates translated for them, and they were mostly calendars. There were also traces of what looked like torture or even executions, because there were stains of what could be interpreted as blood, some with marked hands. In the courtyard, there was a very large photo of bombed Gaza that read: "New Gaza." The psychological torture was present at all times. One day, they played a documentary with very loud music, in which they played the victim as a propaganda strategy. The jailers acted with violence and impunity against us, but they are much more violent toward the Palestinians. We were on guard, and many of us have European passports. Others were not, because there were also many inmates from the global south who received worse treatment on many occasions. It was a very violent environment.

He used his salary to pay Reyes Rigo's fine, but Palma Mayor Jaime Martínez accused him of stealing from the people of Palma and demanded that he return his salary.

— Many people understand that politics can be done differently, and there are people, like the mayor, who understand that doing politics is doing business and who don't understand the commitment to principles and values like international solidarity. The only way they had to cover up their silence and complicity with the genocide perpetrators was to make these sorts of outcries, saying I should give up my salary. At that moment, I said yes, that I could make a contribution to free Reyes from kidnapping. Besides, I think the mayor himself could have proposed it. His responsibility was at least to be vigilant, to obtain information, and to communicate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out about the situation of three Palma citizens, especially when Reyes stayed longer and the entire country was watching. He's portraying himself. Stealing is a very serious accusation, and the fact that it comes from the Popular Party seems even comical to me. The PP should be the one to return what was stolen.

He has also received attacks from the media.

— Upon arrival, we saw everything that had been set up around the Flotilla. There were two Zionist propaganda narratives: on the one hand, that we were dangerous terrorists, and on the other, that we were on vacation at sea. These accusations are completely incompatible and have been fueled by lies. It was even said that we were partying in Ibiza, but we didn't even pass through. Everyone on the Flotilla was well aware that it was only a mission and that their attention should be focused on Palestine. Our main focus, at the communication level, has always been on Palestine and our humanitarian mission to break the criminal blockade. The genocide has been denounced, and to the extent that we have been able to control the message, the focus has been on Palestine.

The Flotilla has been a catalyst and has had an impact on citizens. What steps can be taken from now on?

— The flotillas are important as long as there is still a blockade; they are an initiative that has an impact. But we have also remembered that mobilization on the ground is essential and that everyone can contribute to supporting the Palestinian people's struggle in one way or another. It is very important that the militant unions have called a general strike, because this genocide can only be stopped by the working class, by decent people. Governments have been complicit in this genocide, and we have seen the impunity that Israel has enjoyed for 70 years.

Has what has happened also served to give new impetus to ideas such as internationalism?

— I'd like to think so. It's been an initiative that has greatly strengthened internationalism and solidarity among peoples. We were about 500 people from more than 40 different countries, from the global north and south. There's a structure that has been greatly strengthened. This mission was possible thanks to a coalition that includes the Global Movement to Gaza, part of the Freedom Flotilla, Sumus Antara, and Maghreb Sumus. There has been an interesting international coordination that has strengthened international cooperation structures.

He believes that thecease-fire Can Donald Trump's actions somehow defuse the protests?

— It is not the first time that there is a cease-fireIt's a measure for the Palestinian people, because Israel continues to hold fire. Israel has a long tradition of breaking ceasefires, and we must closely monitor how this one evolves. What has been called the Peace Plan is a colonization plan 2.0, a pact between genocidaires and their financiers. This isn't ending here, and we must continue to take to the streets, maintain the tension and the pace of mobilizations. We must be very critical of this process, of which Spain has wanted to be a part, whose objective is to do business in this territory with a resort Tourism. It would be interesting to see the links between the tourism sector and this reconstruction business, to see what kind of capital is investing in Gaza.

What would you say to citizens to encourage them to continue taking to the streets?

— That it is necessary to continue supporting the Palestinian people in their struggle, that there is no peace without justice, and that there is no peace if the occupation continues or without a decolonization process. A two-state solution has always been the problem, and what must happen in Palestine is a decolonization process like the one that occurred in South Africa. History has shown that it is possible, and it is no coincidence that it was South Africa that took the initiative to denounce Israel in the International Criminal Court. We must not stop talking about Palestine. The occupation and ethnic cleansing continue in other territories, such as the West Bank. We have just witnessed the worst genocide of the 21st century, and it is not over. At this historic moment, the Palestinian cause is perhaps the cause of humanity.

Finally, can you tell us about a happy moment from this experience?

— I think it was my birthday. This mission was supposed to last ten days, and I wasn't planning on being on board for that long. In the end, I celebrated my birthday with my colleagues on the ship. We didn't have anything to make, a cake, or candles, but they surprised me and made some pretty faces. I want to send you all a big hug, because it was a very special birthday, an unforgettable day.