The UK foreign secretary has condemned as “truly appalling” a video released by Israel’s national security minister in which he is seen taunting pro-Palestinian activists detained after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in international waters.
Yvette Cooper said the footage posted by Itamar Ben-Gvir “violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated”. In a statement, she demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of British citizens and all those aboard the flotilla.
Video shows minister confronting detainees
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Marmaris, Turkey, comprised more than 50 vessels and carried approximately 430 activists. On Monday, the Israeli navy stopped 41 of the boats in international waters off Cyprus and detained those on board. Israel has dismissed the mission as “a PR stunt at the service of Hamas”, adding that it would continue to act in accordance with international law to prevent breaches of its naval blockade of Gaza. Flotilla organisers have claimed that Israeli soldiers fired on some boats during the interdictions, causing damage. Israel’s foreign ministry said only non-lethal means were used as a warning.
In the video released by Ben-Gvir, the minister is seen walking through a makeshift detention area at Ashdod port and on the deck of a ship, flanked by police and soldiers while waving a large Israeli flag. Dozens of detainees are shown kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs, some with their foreheads on the ground. The minister tells them: “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords.” In a further clip, he says the activists “came here all full of pride like big heroes. Look at them now,” and appeals to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for permission to jail them.
At one point, as Ben-Gvir walks past, a handcuffed activist is heard shouting “Free Palestine” before being immediately pushed to the ground by security personnel.
International condemnation widens
The treatment of the detainees has drawn a swift and broad international backlash. Italy and France have each summoned their respective Israeli ambassadors to protest. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the video was “intolerable” and demanded an apology for a treatment that “violates human dignity”. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot denounced Ben-Gvir’s actions as “unacceptable” and called for the release of French citizens.
Germany, Spain, Ireland, Canada and Greece have also condemned the conduct shown in the footage. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, described Ben-Gvir’s behaviour as “despicable”. The United Nations has called for the detained activists to be treated with respect and dignity.
Within Israel, the video prompted a rare rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that Ben-Gvir’s actions were “not in line with Israel’s values and norms”. Netanyahu instructed that the activists be deported as soon as possible. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ben-Gvir of having “knowingly caused damage to our state in this disgraceful display”. Human rights group Adalah said it would challenge the legality of the detentions, highlighting previous instances of ill-treatment by Israeli authorities against flotilla activists.
