Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem
Jerusalem, May 21: Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Canada, have strongly condemned Israel’s treatment of pro-Palestinian activists detained after Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters.
The criticism intensified after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing detained activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs while he waved an Israeli flag and mocked them at a detention facility in Ashdod port.
The footage triggered widespread international outrage and even drew rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Ben-Gvir’s conduct was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms”.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising more than 50 boats carrying around 430 activists from over 40 countries, had departed from Turkey last week to highlight the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The flotilla was carrying symbolic quantities of food, baby formula and medical aid for Palestinians.
Israeli naval commandos intercepted the vessels in international waters west of Cyprus, around 250 nautical miles from Gaza, which remains under an Israeli maritime blockade.
Organisers of the flotilla accused Israel of carrying out an “illegal high-seas aggression”, alleging that commandos opened fire near some vessels, used water cannons and rammed one boat during the operation.
Israel rejected the allegations, insisting that no live ammunition was used and defending the naval blockade as lawful. The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the flotilla as a “PR stunt at the service of Hamas”.
Rights group Adalah, which is representing the detained activists, said all participants were being taken into Israeli territory “against their will” and vowed to challenge the legality of the detentions.
The controversial video released by Ben-Gvir showed activists shouting “Free Palestine” while security personnel restrained them. In another clip, activists were seen kneeling on a ship’s deck while the Israeli national anthem played.
The video sparked condemnation from several world leaders and governments.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described Ben-Gvir’s actions as “despicable”, while UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper termed the scenes “totally disgraceful” and summoned the Israeli embassy seeking an urgent explanation.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the treatment of activists “abominable”, stressing that “human dignity must be upheld everywhere”.
Australia, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands also criticised the Israeli minister’s conduct and summoned Israeli ambassadors over the incident.
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said the detained activists, including Irish citizens, were not being treated with “appropriate dignity or respect”.
In a rare public rebuke within the Israeli government, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticised Ben-Gvir, accusing him of damaging Israel’s international standing through a “disgraceful display”.
Responding to the criticism, Ben-Gvir defended his actions, stating that “Israel has stopped being a pushover”.
Prime Minister Netanyahu later clarified that while Israel had the right to stop flotillas attempting to breach the Gaza blockade, the manner in which the activists were treated was unacceptable. He also instructed authorities to deport the detained activists “as soon as possible”.
The developments come amid continuing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The United Nations recently stated that most of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents remain displaced and continue to face severe shortages of shelter, clean water, fuel and medical supplies despite ongoing humanitarian aid efforts.