Ben Gvir posts video of himself taunting bound and detained Gaza flotilla activists, sparks global outcry
The Times of Israel • • general
Key Points:
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a video taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists at Ashdod port, sparking international condemnation and diplomatic protests from Italy, Spain, France, South Korea, and Ireland.
- The video shows activists bound and kneeling while Ben Gvir waves an Israeli flag, shouts slogans, and urges guards to ignore detainees' cries, raising allegations of abusive treatment akin to that of severe prisoners.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the treatment and summoned Israeli ambassadors, demanding respect and apologies for their detained nationals.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar publicly rebuked Ben Gvir, stating his conduct did not align with Israeli values and harmed the state's diplomatic efforts.
- The flotilla, organized by Turkey’s IHH group, aimed to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, but was intercepted by Israeli forces; Israel maintains the blockade is lawful and labels the flotilla a Hamas-supported provocation.