JERUSALEM ( WNAM MONITORING): Israel’s far-right national security minister posted a video on Wednesday showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground, sparking international condemnation.
The video, shared on X by firebrand minister Itamar Ben Gvir, was published after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla’s vessels at sea and began detaining hundreds of foreign activists at the southern port of Ashdod.
The video drew swift international uproar, while Ben Gvir himself was criticized by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Captioned “Welcome to Israel,” the footage shows dozens of activists forced to kneel with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground. At some points, the the Israeli national anthem can he heard playing in the background.
The footage also shows Ben Gvir heckling and waving an Israeli flag among the detained activists.
British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the video, which “violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated.” She added that London has “demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities.”
France said it had summoned the Israeli ambassador over the “unacceptable actions” of Ben Gvir, while Madrid condemned the “monstrous” treatment of activists and said Israel’s charge d’affaires had also been summoned in protest.
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was “appalled and shocked” by the video and demanded the immediate release of the activists, among whom is the sister of President Catherine Connolly.
Italy and Greece also individually slammed the treatment of the activists and called for their citizens’ immediate release, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni demanding an apology from Israel.
Turkiye’s foreign ministry said Ben Gvir had “once again openly demonstrated to the world the violent and barbaric mentality of the Netanyahu government.”
Meanwhile, Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said they will summon the Israeli ambassador over a “deeply disturbing” video showing detained activists from the flotilla kneeling with their hands tied, and calling for their immediate release.
“Belgian citizens are among those detained. This situation is unacceptable. It violates the most basic standards of human dignity. All detainees must be treated with dignity and released without delay,” Prevot wrote on X.
The Belgian minister said he asked the Israeli envoy to Belgium be summoned “to express our indignation and ask for explanations.”
European Council President Antonio Costa said on Thursday that he was “appalled” by the treatment of aid flotilla members.
“This behavior is completely unacceptable. We call for their immediate release,” Costa said in a statement on social media website X.
Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland demanded justice for polish citizens on board the flotilla.
“You may not treat Polish citizens who have committed no crime in this way. In the democratic world we do not abuse and gloat over people in custody,” he said on X.
He said Poland expected its citizens to be treated in line with international standards, and that consular officials were seeking access to detainees.
The Israeli chargé d’affaires had been summoned “to convey our outrage and demand an apology for the extremely inappropriate behavior of a member of the Israeli government,” he added.
Israeli police on Wednesday forced activists who were aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to kneel on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their backs while a minister looked on, drawing criticism from foreign leaders and even from inside Israel’s own government.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also condemned Israel and urged the world to not see the treatment of the activists as an isolated incident.
“Mistreatment and abuse suffered by activists, including citizens of countries that maintain relations with Israel, in full view and hearing of the world, clearly reveals the scale of violations endured by Palestinians languishing under the weight of occupation and apartheid for decades,” the Ministry said in a statement.
It called on the international community to halt Israeli provactions not only against the activists but Palestinians as well.
