Israel Deports Hundreds Of Gaza Flotilla Activists After Ben-Gvir Taunts Bound Protesters

Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters off Cyprus and detained hundreds of activists, with the Global Sumud Flotilla described as carrying a token amount of aid and Israel saying the effort was a "PR stunt at the service of Hamas".

“Several countries, including Italy, France, the Netherlands and Canada, have summoned the Israeli ambassadors to their capitals to express their “indignation” over Israel’s treatment of the abducted Gaza flotilla activists”

Al Jazeera

The BBC reported that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing him taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs, drawing condemnation from the US, the UK, France, Italy and Canada.

Al Jazeera

On Thursday, Reuters said the Israeli government released and deported hundreds of flotilla activists, and the Globe and Mail reported that about 420 activists departed Israel on planes bound for Turkey, landing Thursday evening in Istanbul.

The Globe and Mail said the activists descended stairs to the runway in Istanbul flashing two-fingered salutes and chanting "Free Palestine," while some appeared to be limping and were expected to be taken for a medical checkup.

The BBC said Israel dismissed the action as a "PR stunt at the service of Hamas" and insisted it would "not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza" as the activists were transferred to Israeli vessels.

As international outrage grew, multiple governments summoned Israeli envoys, and Al Jazeera quoted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni saying, "The images of Israeli Minister Ben Gvir are unacceptable."

Al Jazeera also reported Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand calling the incident "deeply troubling" and saying Ottawa will summon the Israeli ambassador over the incident.

BBC

The BBC said the video drew rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated the minister’s conduct was "not in line with Israel's values".

In the same BBC account, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the video showed "totally disgraceful scenes" and that she had sent a summons to the Israeli embassy to demand an "urgent explanation".

France 24 reported that Paris summoned a senior Israeli diplomat over the video and said Israel deported 37 French nationals to Turkey, with France’s Foreign ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux saying the French nationals would be repatriated as soon as possible.

The legal center representing the activists, Adalah, said the flotilla members were "en route for deportation" from Ramon Airport in Israel’s far south, and Macau Business reported that the majority were being transferred to Ramon Airport to be flown out of the country.

“The Itamaraty summoned the head of the Israeli embassy in Brazil, Rasha Athamni, to demand explanations about the video in which activists appear with their hands tied and their foreheads pressed to the ground”

Folha de S.Paulo

Macau Business said Adalah reported the activists had been held at Israel’s Ktziot prison in the Negev Desert near Gaza, while it also cited Adalah saying at least two participants were hospitalised after being shot by rubber bullets.

The BBC reported that the GSF’s organisers said Israeli commandos opened fire at six boats, used water cannon, and intentionally rammed one vessel, while Israel’s foreign ministry insisted no live ammunition was used and that it would not permit a breach of the naval blockade.

In parallel, the BBC said Israel’s foreign ministry stated that all the activists had been transferred to Israeli vessels and would be allowed to meet their consular representatives after arriving in Israel.

France 24 added that Turkish foreign ministry sources later confirmed that "a total of 422 flotilla participants, 85 of whom are our citizens, are being brought to our country on special charter flights" as the deportations continued.