International Backlash as Israeli Minister Taunts Detained Activists

A significant international response arose after Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, released videos taunting activists detained from a flotilla. These activists attempted to bypass the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The videos depict Ben-Gvir walking among approximately 430 detainees who had arrived on navy ships. One clip shows activists with tied hands, kneeling with their heads on the ground in a makeshift detention area at Ashdod port and on a ship’s deck.

In the footage, Ben-Gvir waves a large Israeli flag and addresses the detainees with the words, “Welcome to Israel. We are the landlords.” A handcuffed activist can be seen shouting “Free Palestine” as Ben-Gvir passes by, and is quickly pushed to the ground by security personnel.

In another video, Ben-Gvir states the activists appeared proud “like big heroes” and now urges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow their imprisonment.

The release of these videos sparked immediate diplomatic action, with countries including Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands summoning Israeli ambassadors for an explanation regarding their citizens’ treatment.

The Global Sumud Flotilla organizers noted that Catherine Connolly’s sister, connected to the Irish President, was among activists from over 40 countries onboard the flotilla, intercepted in international waters.

Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee expressed her intense disapproval of the video, demanding the detainees’ “immediate release.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the treatment as violating “human dignity,” while South Korean President Lee Jae Myung condemned Israel’s actions as “out of line.”

British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper declared on X that Ben-Gvir’s behavior “violates the most basic standards of respect” and committed to supporting detained British nationals. Greece’s Foreign Affairs Ministry labeled the incident as “unacceptable and entirely condemnable.” Meanwhile, Turkey described Israel’s approach as “violent and barbaric.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu, reliant on support from Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party, partly distanced himself from the incident. He asserted Israel’s right to intercept “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters” but criticized Ben-Gvir’s actions as inconsistent with Israel’s values. Netanyahu ordered the deportation of the activists “as soon as possible,” countering Ben-Gvir’s suggestion for imprisonment.