Arabic version: استنكار دولي بعد سخرية وزير إسرائيلي من الناشطين

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has faced widespread condemnation for a video in which he taunts pro-Palestinian activists detained after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted by Israeli naval forces. According to BBC News, the video shows Ben-Gvir visiting a detention facility where activists, with their hands tied behind their backs, are kneeling on the ground.

The flotilla, comprising more than 50 boats, set sail from Turkey last Thursday to highlight the difficult conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli forces began intercepting the vessels in international waters west of Cyprus, and the Israeli foreign ministry stated that no live ammunition was used during the operation, which they described as necessary to maintain a lawful maritime blockade.

Countries including the UK, France, Italy, Canada, and the US have expressed outrage over Ben-Gvir’s actions, with some summoning their Israeli ambassadors. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot both condemned the treatment of the activists, demanding respect for human dignity and the immediate release of those detained.

In response to the backlash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben-Gvir’s behavior as inconsistent with Israel’s values, while also affirming the country’s right to prevent provocations from flotillas associated with Hamas. The Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to deliver humanitarian aid, has faced accusations from Israeli officials of being a public relations stunt for Hamas.

Rights group Adalah has indicated that they will challenge the legality of the detentions, asserting that the activists are being taken into Israeli territory against their will. The situation continues to draw international scrutiny as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists, with many residents lacking access to basic services and adequate living conditions.