Israel’s far-right national security minister posted a video on Wednesday showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground, sparking international condemnation.
The video, shared on X by firebrand minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, was published after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla’s vessels at sea and began detaining hundreds of foreign activists at the southern port of Ashdod.
The video drew swift international uproar and Ben-Gvir himself was criticised by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Here’s what world leaders had to say about the video.
European Council President Antonio Costa said he was “appalled” by the treatment of aid flotilla members attempting to enter Gaza by Ben-Gvir.
“Appalled by the treatment of flotilla members by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir. This behaviour is completely unacceptable. We call for their immediate release,” Costa said in a statement on social media website X.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the treatment of the Global Sumud flotilla activists, amongst them EU citizens, was “degrading and wrong”.
“Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir’s conduct is unbecoming of anyone holding office in a democracy,” she added.
Images showing Ben-Gvir taunting members of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla are unacceptable, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.
“We will not tolerate anyone mistreating our citizens,” Sanchez said on X, adding his government would push for Ben-Gvir’s ban to enter Spain to be extended to the whole European Union urgently.
British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the video. In a statement on X, Cooper said Britain was in contact with the families of several British nationals involved and was providing consular support.
“We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all those involved,” Cooper said.
Australia’s foreign minister condemned Israel’s “degrading” treatment of detained activists.
“The images we have seen posted by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir — who Australia has sanctioned — are shocking and unacceptable,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.
“We condemn his actions and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained.”
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denounced what he said were the national security minister’s “despicable actions”.
“Universal outrage and condemnation from every high-ranking Israeli official … for despicable actions by Ben-Gvir. Flotilla was a stupid stunt, but Ben-Gvir betrayed the dignity of his nation,” Huckabee wrote on X.
The European Commission said it found the treatment of the Gaza flotilla activists “completely unacceptable”, a spokesperson said.
“Every detained person must be treated with safety, dignity and according to international law,” spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said in a post on X.
“We call on the Israeli government to ensure the protection and dignified treatment of these activists, including several EU citizens,” he added.
Australia’s foreign minister condemned Israel’s “degrading” treatment of the detained activists.
“The images we have seen posted by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir — who Australia has sanctioned — are shocking and unacceptable,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.
“We condemn his actions and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained.”
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the country will summon Israel’s ambassador to air “grave concerns” about the treatment of the detained activists.
“We expect Israel to adhere to its international legal obligations, including in its treatment of New Zealanders participating in the flotilla,” Peters said.
“We have instructed MFAT to call in the Israeli ambassador today to directly pass on our grave concerns,” he said, referring to New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“Last year, New Zealand placed a travel ban on Minister Ben Gvir for severely and deliberately undermining peace and security and removing prospects for a two-state solution,” Peters said.
“His latest conduct with respect to the Gaza flotilla, which has been seriously criticised by his own prime minister, is further vindication of that position.”
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was “appalled and shocked” by the video and demanded the immediate release of the activists, who include the sister of President Catherine Connolly.
German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert said Ben-Gvir’s treatment of detainees was “wholly unacceptable and incompatible with the basic values of our countries”.
