UK condemns Israeli minister for taunting bound and kneeling Gaza flotilla activists
Britain has harshly criticized an Israeli cabinet minister who “mocked” pro-Palestinian activists detained after traveling on an aid flotilla bound for Gaza.
Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by a video released by security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which she said “breached the most basic standards of respect and dignity about how people should be treated”.
In the statement, while criticizing the “mock” of those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, he said, “We demanded a statement from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligation to protect the rights of our citizens and everyone involved.”
Italy and France also condemned the video as “unacceptable”.
In footage released by Ben-Gvir, he told detained activists that they should remain in prison for a “long, long time.”
The video showed the minister waving a large Israeli flag walking among about 430 detained activists surrounded by police and soldiers. He told them: “Welcome to Israel, we are landlords.”
The footage shows dozens of people kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs in what appears to be a temporary detention area in Ashdod port and on the deck of a ship.
At one point, a handcuffed man is seen shouting “Free Palestine” as Ben-Gvir walks past and is immediately pushed to the ground by security personnel.
In the second video, Ben-Gvir says the activists “came here proudly, like great heroes” and calls on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow him to imprison them.
Israel described the flotilla as a “public relations stunt in the service of Hamas” with no real intention of bringing aid to Gaza. The boats are carrying a symbolic amount of aid.
On Monday, the Israeli navy stopped 41 boats of the fleet in international waters off the coast of Cyprus and detained those on board.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, “It is unacceptable that these protesters, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment that disregards human dignity.”
“Italy also demands an apology for the treatment of these demonstrators and the indifference shown to the clear demands of the Italian government.”
