Several nations have condemned Israel’s treatment of activists seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla, after a minister shared footage of them kneeling with hands tied and foreheads on the ground. The incident has sparked global outrage, with world leaders describing the actions as “monstrous, undignified and inhumane”.
Video Sparks Fury
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on X showing captured activists on the deck of a military boat, with one being pulled to the ground by her hair. The video also featured the minister waving the Israeli flag while the national anthem played. “That’s how we welcome the terrorism supporters,” Ben-Gvir wrote. “Welcome to Israel.” Israeli forces intercepted the aid flotilla in international waters and took the activists to the southern port of Ashdod. The flotilla’s organisers said the activists were being transferred to Ketziot prison in the Negev desert.
International Condemnation
European commissioner Hadja Lahbib stated that “no one should be punished for defending humanity”. European Council president Antonio Costa said he was “appalled by the treatment of flotilla members by Israeli minister Ben-Gvir”, calling the behaviour “completely unacceptable” and demanding their immediate release. The European Commission found the ill-treatment “completely unacceptable”, with spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stressing that “every detained person must be treated with safety, dignity and according to international law”.
Spain’s foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares described the treatment as “monstrous, undignified and inhumane” and demanded a public apology from Israel. British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the video, which “violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity”. She demanded an explanation and reminded Israel of its obligations to protect the rights of all those involved.
Irish foreign minister Helen McEntee expressed shock and demanded the immediate release of the activists, including the sister of Ireland’s president Catherine Connolly. She said Ireland’s ambassador had demanded assurances that all Irish citizens are afforded protections under international law. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called Ben-Gvir’s actions “despicable”, adding that the flotilla was a “stupid stunt” but that Ben-Gvir had “betrayed the dignity of his nation”.
Belgium and France summoned Israeli ambassadors, with Paris calling the ill-treatment “unacceptable”. Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and Turkey also condemned the actions. Canadian premier Mark Carney described them as “abominable”.
Domestic Backlash
Ben-Gvir also faced criticism within Israel. Foreign minister Gideon Saar said his cabinet colleague had “knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display”. Ben-Gvir responded, “I am proud to be the minister in charge of the organisations that operated today against those supporters of terror.” He added that while there would be pictures Saar does not like, he considers them a source of pride.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the interception, saying Israel has the right to stop “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters”. However, he acknowledged that Ben-Gvir’s conduct was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms” and said the activists would be deported at the earliest opportunity. Netanyahu had earlier criticised the flotilla as a “malicious scheme designed to break the blockade we have imposed on Hamas terrorists”.
Last month, Israel intercepted another Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters and deported the activists to Europe.
