Far-right Israeli minister condemned for taunting handcuffed Gaza flotilla activists David GrittenVideo shows far-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir taunting flotilla activistsThere has been international condemnation of Israel's treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces.The US, the UK, France, Italy and Canada were among the countries which expressed outrage after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.His actions also drew rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they were "not in line with Israel's values".A rights group representing the detainees said they had been physically abused, resulting in "severe, widespread injuries". Adalah said at least three people had been taken to hospital and were later discharged. "[Adalah's] lawyers documented dozens of participants with suspected broken ribs and resulting difficulty in breathing," it said."Reports also indicated the frequent use of Tasers against participants, as well as injuries sustained from the use of rubber bullets during the interception...The group said activists were also "subjected to severe degradation and sexual harassment and humiliation".Israeli authorities have not commented on the allegations.Israeli forces board Gaza-bound flotilla near Cyprus, activists sayIsrael deports two activists detained on board Gaza flotillaIsrael releases all but two activists in Greece after intercepting Gaza aid flotillaMore than 50 boats taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) set sail from Turkey last Thursday carrying a token amount of aid.
Four hundred and thirty people from more than 40 countries were on board. Israel dismissed the action as a "PR stunt at the service of Hamas".On Monday morning, armed Israeli naval commandos began intercepting the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles (460km) from the coast of Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade.The GSF's organisers said all the boats had been intercepted by Tuesday evening, with one managing to get within 80 nautical miles of the Palestinian territory.They accused Israel of an "illegal, high-seas aggression" and said Israeli commandos had opened fire at six boats, used water cannon, and intentionally rammed one vessel.The Israeli foreign ministry said no live ammunition was used and insisted it would "not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza".The ministry also said that all the activists had been transferred to Israeli vessels and that they would be allowed to meet their consular representatives after arriving in Israel.On Wednesday morning, Adalah said the activists were being "taken into Israeli territory entirely against their will" and detained at Ashdod port."The legal team will challenge the legality of these detentions and demand the immediate release of all flotilla participants," it added.In the afternoon, Ben-Gvir – an ultra-nationalist who, as national security minister, oversees Israel's police force – posted a video on social media, captioned "Welcome to Israel". It showed him visiting a detention facility at the port of Ashdod where the activists are being held.He is seen encouraging security personnel as they push down a female activist who shouts "Free, Free, Palestine" as he walks past her.Ben-Gvir is then shown waving a large Israeli flag next to dozens of activists kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs.
He tells them in Hebrew: "Welcome to Israel. We are the landlords." Other activists are shown kneeling on the deck of a ship as the Israeli national anthem is played.The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called Ben-Gvir's actions "despicable".UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the video showed "totally disgraceful scenes", adding that she had sent a summons to the Israeli embassy to demand an "urgent explanation". She earlier said the government was "in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved to provide them with consular support".Last year, Ben-Gvir and a second minister had sanctions imposed by the UK, Australia, Norway, Canada and New Zealand for "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities".
It marked the first time Israeli ministers had been sanctioned by Western governments.Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has described Israel's treatment of the activists as "abominable", adding that he had instructed officials to summon the Israeli ambassador."The protection of civilians and respect for human dignity must be upheld everywhere, at all times," Carney said in a post on X.Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned Ben-Gvir, saying that the actions of Israeli authorities were "degrading". Australia, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain said Ben-Gvir's actions were "unacceptable" and that they had summoned their respective Israeli ambassadors.Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said the footage showed that "illegally detained participants", including Irish citizens, were "not in any way being treated with appropriate dignity or respect".Adalah said the footage demonstrated that Israel was "employing a criminal policy of abuse and humiliation against activists".Global Sumud Flotilla/Handout via ReutersA live stream from the Global Sumud Flotilla showed Israeli commandos boarding a boat on MondayIn an unusual step, Israel's foreign minister joined the condemnation of his cabinet colleague.Addressing him on X, Gideon Saar wrote: "You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display - and not for the first time."Ben-Gvir hit back swiftly, saying: "The foreign minister is expected to understand that Israel has stopped being a pushover."Netanyahu then issued his own rebuke."Israel has every right to prevent provocative f
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