Italy, France and Canada condemn Israeli minister over flotilla detainee treatment
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar join international criticism after national security minister posts video taunting detained activists at Ashdod port
Italy, France and Canada have formally condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following the release of a video showing him taunting pro-Palestinian activists detained at Ashdod port. The activists were participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a coalition of more than 50 vessels that set sail from Turkey last Thursday with the aim of breaking the naval blockade on Gaza.
The fleet was intercepted by Israeli naval commandos on Monday morning in international waters, approximately 250 nautical miles from the Gaza coast and west of Cyprus. GSF organisers stated that all boats had been intercepted by Tuesday evening, with one vessel reaching within 80 nautical miles of the Palestinian territory. Organisers accused Israeli forces of opening fire at six boats, using water cannons, and intentionally ramming one vessel, allegations denied by the Israeli foreign ministry, which insisted no live ammunition was used.
Ben-Gvir, who oversees the Israeli police force, posted a video on social media captioned "Welcome to Israel". The footage showed him waving a flag next to kneeling, handcuffed activists and encouraging security personnel to push down a female activist shouting "Free, Free, Palestine". The video prompted immediate diplomatic backlash, with Israel’s ambassadors to Italy, France and Canada summoned by their respective governments.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the treatment of the protesters, many of whom are Italian citizens, as "intolerable" and demanded an apology. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed "indignation" and called for the immediate release of French nationals. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand labelled the video "deeply troubling", emphasising the urgency of ensuring humane treatment for the civilians involved.
The criticism extended domestically, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Ben-Gvir’s conduct was "not in line with Israel’s values". Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the display "disgraceful", noting it caused harm to the state. Ben-Gvir responded by asserting that "Israel has stopped being a pushover". Netanyahu instructed authorities to "deport the provocateurs as soon as possible". The 430 activists, representing more than 40 countries, remain in detention at Ashdod port pending deportation. Israeli rights group Adalah has announced legal challenges to the detention, describing the footage as evidence of a "criminal policy of abuse and humiliation".
