JERUSALEM, May 21 (Reuters) – There was a wave of outrage from Western governments on Thursday after Israel’s far-right security minister shared a video of himself mocking Gaza-Platoon activists. Reports indicate that some of these activists were restrained and at least two alleged they were assaulted while in custody.
This incident, involving police actions under National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, prompted backlash not only from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but also from the United States, a key ally of Israel.
The activists’ vessels were intercepted by the Israeli Navy, which announced on Wednesday that they were expelled from Israel while in international waters as they attempted to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Governments throughout Europe reacted by summoning Israeli ambassadors and expressing their condemnation of the video. Italy sought an apology, while Spain insisted it would not accept any mistreatment of its citizens, and France demanded the release of all detained individuals.
Criticism from the US Ambassador
The UK Foreign Office stated that Ben Gvir’s video “violated the most basic standards of respect and dignity for people,” and Poland’s foreign secretary called for a ban on Ben Gvir’s entry into the country.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said that Ben Gvir had “betrayed the dignity of our nation.” The backlash seems to stem from Ben Gvir, along with another cabinet minister, Transport Secretary Miri Regev, releasing campaign-style clips where they engaged in high-profile antics and taunted protesters ahead of a demonstration.
According to the Israeli rights group Adalah, around 430 activists have been released from facilities in southern Israel. Miriam Azem, Adala’s communications director, reported troubling accounts of police abuse, including Taser usage, suspected fractures, and instances of sexual harassment.
Azem noted, “One of the activists was forced to run naked as the guards laughed,” and pointed out that security forces fired rubber bullets while intercepting the convoy, leading to some injuries among activists.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that non-lethal measures were employed as a warning and contended that no protesters were harmed. The Israeli Prisons Authority dismissed the allegations made by Adalah as false portrayals of wrongdoing.
Two Italian activists claim physical assault
Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, one of the early returnees, recounted being beaten upon his arrival at the Israeli detention center, describing it as a “place of horror.” He mentioned, “When I say ‘beat’ I mean they kick me in the leg or punch me in the face,” highlighting that while visible marks were absent, it was clear the staff were experienced in inflicting pain without leaving traces.
Another Italian activist, Dario Carotenuto, shared that he was punched and kicked while in custody. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has yet to comment on these allegations, though previous participants in similar flotillas claimed to have faced mistreatment, which Israel denied.
Tameen al-Khitan, from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, insisted that any abuse against activists should not go unpunished, emphasizing that “showing solidarity and delivering humanitarian aid is not a crime.”
Flotilla organizers aimed to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering aid. However, despite diplomatic efforts for increased support, charities find supplies still severely lacking.
The convoy set off from southern Turkey earlier in the week before being detained. A previous flotilla that included Swedish activist Greta Thunberg also faced interception, with its members later expelled.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan mentioned special flights are being coordinated to return Turkish citizens and other participants to Turkey, which includes individuals from Spain, South Korea, and Ireland.
Activists face jeers ahead of Israeli elections
The video released by Ben Gvir displayed police subduing an activist who shouted “Free, Free Palestine,” while others were seen kneeling in a line with zip ties binding their wrists at what appeared to be an Israeli port facility.
Soldiers armed with rifles were observed patrolling nearby on vessels. The treatment of detained Palestinians has often been harsh during this current military offensive in Gaza, which started following the Hamas attack in October 2023. Ben Gvir’s remarks in the video, “Look at them now,” suggested he mocked the activists’ situation while prominently displaying an Israeli flag.
Prime Minister Netanyahu critiqued Ben Gvir’s actions, stating they did not align with Israeli values or ethics. Ben Gvir’s support base largely consists of Israel’s nationalist voters, a demographic that Netanyahu’s Likud party has sought to appeal to ahead of upcoming elections scheduled for October 27.
