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Ben Gvir’s video sparks outrage
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir released video footage showing detained Gaza flotilla activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs and their foreheads on the ground, as the Israeli national anthem played.
“The video, published on Ben Gvir's X account with the caption "That's how we welcome the terrorism supporters. Welcome to Israel,"”
The video, posted on Ben Gvir’s X account, shows activists on the deck of a military boat and then in detention in Israel, after Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters on Monday.
dw reported that activists were detained at the Israeli port of Ashdod before being taken to prison, and that flotilla organizers said the activists would be taken to Ketziot prison in the Negev Desert in southern Israel.
dw also said Israel stated that all 430 activists on the flotilla’s vessels had been moved to Israeli ships and would be permitted to meet with their consular representatives upon arrival in Israel.
In response to the footage, Italy’s government said Israel’s treatment was unacceptable and that it would summon the Israeli ambassador for an explanation, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni saying, "It is intolerable that these protesters, among whom there are many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity."
Allies summon ambassadors, Israel rebuked
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said on a conference call that she was "truly appalled" by the video and that Canada would summon the Israeli ambassador to protest the treatment of detained Gaza flotilla activists.
CBC reported that Canada joined Italy, France and the Netherlands in summoning Israeli ambassadors, and it quoted Anand saying, "What we've seen, including the video shared by [Ben-Gvir], is deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable."
Within Israel, Netanyahu said Israel has every right to stop "provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters," but added that the way Ben Gvir dealt with the activists "is not in line with Israel's values and norms."
Gideon Saar publicly distanced himself from Ben Gvir, writing on X that "You knowingly caused harm to our state with this disgraceful display" and that Ben Gvir "is not the face of Israel."
CBC also described Ben Gvir telling detainees they should remain in prison for a "long, long time," while a handcuffed activist shouted "Free Palestine" as Ben Gvir walked past and was immediately pushed to the ground by security personnel.
Detention, deportation, and next steps
dw said Adalah, an Israel-based legal rights group, stated that activists had been "detained at Ashdod port" and "taken into Israel against their will as Adalah attorneys enter for legal consultations."
“"detained at Ashdod port" and "taken into Israel against their will as Adalah attorneys enter for legal consultations."”
The same report said flotilla organizers expected activists to be taken to Ketziot prison in the Negev Desert, and that Adalah lawyers would not be able to meet with the activists until they arrived there.
dw reported that Netanyahu instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs "as soon as possible," while also saying Israel has every right to stop provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters.
CBC added that Global Sumud Canada said 12 Canadians aboard the flotilla had all been detained as of Tuesday, and it quoted Carney saying officials would "demand assurances regarding the safety and security of Canadians involved."
In the broader diplomatic fallout, dw said Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, labelled Ben Gvir’s treatment as "wholly unacceptable and incompatible with the basic values of our countries," while Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said Ben Gvir had "once again openly demonstrated to the world the violent and barbaric mentality of the Netanyahu government."
