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Flotilla detainees abused
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted videos after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and detained hundreds of foreign activists, including footage of detainees kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.
“high levels of violence as well as sexual abuse and psychological torment”
The Israeli rights group Adalah said its legal team visited Ashdod Port and documented testimony claiming “high levels of violence as well as sexual abuse and psychological torment,” and it said almost all detainees were being transferred to Ketziot Prison.
Adalah also said detainees were injured during the takeover and transfer, including at least three people hospitalized and later released, while it documented dozens of participants with suspected rib fractures and breathing difficulties.
The BBC reported that international condemnation followed Ben-Gvir’s video, and it said the rights group representing the 430 people from more than 40 countries who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla demanded their release.
Diplomatic backlash and quotes
The BBC said the video showed Ben-Gvir encouraging security personnel as they pushed down a female activist who shouted “Free, Free, Palestine,” and it quoted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Ben-Gvir’s conduct was “not in line with Israel's values and norms.”
In Washington, DC, Al Jazeera reported that US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee joined global criticism of Ben-Gvir and wrote on X, “Flotilla was stupid stunt, but Ben Gvir betrayed dignity of his nation,” while also referencing “universal outrage from every high-ranking Israeli official.”
Al Jazeera said Italy, France, the Netherlands and Canada summoned Israeli ambassadors over Ben-Gvir’s video, and it described the footage as showing detained activists kneeling with their hands bound and at times being shoved to the ground.
The Guardian reported that UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the video showed “totally disgraceful scenes,” and it said she was “in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved to provide them with consular support.”
Courts, detention, and sanctions
Adalah said detainees were expected to appear Thursday before a court or relevant authority to review their detention ahead of deportation procedures, while it also said information about their whereabouts and legal status was “severely restricted.”
“severely restricted”
The Justice Center said lawyers affiliated with it provided legal consultations to hundreds of detainees from the “Freedom Flotilla,” and it said the lawyers documented “systematic violations of due process,” along with “widespread physical and psychological abuses.”
The Justice Center reported that at least three people were transported to hospital before being released later, and it said dozens of cases suspected of rib fractures and breathing difficulties were documented, along with repeated use of stun devices and injuries from rubber bullets during the interception and on military boats.
Al Jazeera reported that the US Department of the Treasury sanctioned four organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, and it quoted Samidoun describing the sanctions against flotilla activists and Palestinian organisations as “aiding and abetting genocide.”
