The shocking video posted by Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing activists from the new “Gaza flotilla” bound behind their backs and kneeling, sparked international reactions and anger within Israel’s government. “The 430 members of the new Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted on Monday off Cyprus by the Israeli navy, were transferred to Israel,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday night into Wednesday. Organizers had announced that citizens from 39 countries participated in the flotilla. The activists are being held at a facility in the port of Ashdod.
Israel: International condemnation for the video
Israeli far-right minister Ben-Gvir published the video earlier today, provoking strong reactions from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who condemned Ben-Gvir for his action.
Hamas condemned the video scenes, saying they “constitute an expression of moral degradation and sadism that characterizes the mentality of the leaders of the criminal hostile entity.”
Turkey, from where the “Gaza flotilla” departed, condemned the “barbaric mentality” of the Israeli government. The Turkish Foreign Ministry emphasized in its statement that Ben-Gvir “once again openly showed the world the violent and barbaric mentality of the Netanyahu government.”
The first international reaction came from Italy, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemning the treatment given to activists by Israel, judging that “the images from Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir are unacceptable.” In this context, the Italian Foreign Ministry will summon Israel’s ambassador in Rome to request official explanations about what happened.
Italian nationals among detained flotilla members
From the French side, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated today that he summoned the Israeli ambassador for explanations in response to Ben-Gvir’s video.
“Ben-Gvir’s actions against the passengers of the Global Sumud flotilla, which were denounced by his own colleagues in the Israeli government, are unacceptable,” Barrot said in a post on X.
Barrot stated that French citizens must be treated with respect and released as soon as possible, although he added that he opposes the flotilla’s approach.
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was “stunned and shocked” by the video posted by the far-right Israeli minister.
These activists “who are being held illegally… are not being treated in any way with proper dignity or respect,” the minister stated in her announcement.
She demanded the “immediate” release of arrested Irish participants in the flotilla mission, including the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
