World leaders have criticised Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for encouraging Israeli Defense Force (IDF) troops to shove and push detained activists, and sharing a video of it to his X account.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined in the criticism of Ben Gvir, a member of his cabinet, saying his actions were “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
This week the IDF detained around 400 activists, including 11 Australians, from a humanitarian aid flotilla sailing to Gaza.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions and the “degrading actions of Israeli authorities”.
Background
On 14 May, around 50 boats left Türkiye to travel to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud (GSF) and Freedom flotillas.
The flotillas said their aim was todeliver aid, including food, and medical, sanitary and educational supplies.
The IDF intercepted all the vessels and detained the activists. According to live tracking data from the flotillas, the boats were seized in international waters.
Video
On Wednesday (Israel time), Ben-Gvir shared a video to X of detained flotilla activists at the port of Ashdod, Israel.
The video shows Israeli troops shoving and pushing the detainees, who are later seen kneeling on the ground.
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Ben-Gvir is also shown waving the Israeli flag and telling the group in Hebrew: “Welcome to Israel, we are the masters of the house.”
Response
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Ben-Gvir had “knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display”.
The GSF said their activists were “brutalised and humiliated,” and described Israeli criticism of Ben-Gvir as “performative”.
The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee called Ben-Gvir’s actions “despicable”, while Canadian PM Mark Carney said Israel’s treatment of the activists was “abominable”.
“The images we have seen posted by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir – who Australia has sanctioned – are shocking and unacceptable. We condemn his actions and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained," - Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a statement shared to X.
What’s next?
Netanyahu said the detained activists would be deported.
Meanwhile, leaders, including from France and Canada have summoned their Israeli ambassadors.
Summoning is when an ambassador is asked to meet with authorities, either from their host country or their home country.
In this case, Canada and France are asking representatives of Israel to explain Ben-Gvir’s actions and Israel’s treatment of French and Canadian activists in detention.
