Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked a global backlash after releasing videos taunting detained activists who attempted to breach the Gaza blockade. The footage shows Ben-Gvir walking among handcuffed detainees, waving an Israeli flag and telling them they should be jailed for a long time.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare rebuke, stating that while Israel has the right to stop 'provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters', Ben-Gvir's actions were 'not in line with Israel's values and norms'. Netanyahu ordered the deportation of the approximately 430 activists 'as soon as possible'.
Ben-Gvir responded by accusing critics of 'bowing to the terrorists', while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly chastised him for 'knowingly causing harm to our State'. The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (Adalah) accused authorities of employing a 'criminal policy of abuse and humiliation', noting that two activists were hospitalised after being shot with rubber bullets.
International condemnation followed swiftly. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the video 'violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity'. Italy summoned Israel's ambassador over the treatment of Italian detainees, and Canada also summoned the Israeli envoy. Turkey and Greece condemned the actions, with Turkey stating it 'openly demonstrated the violent and barbaric mindset' of the government.
Flotilla organisers claimed Israeli soldiers fired on five boats, but Israel's Foreign Ministry said no live ammunition was used. The flotilla, which departed from Turkey last week, aimed to highlight the plight of nearly two million Palestinians under the blockade.
