Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, faced criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after releasing videos taunting detained activists from a flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s right to stop such flotillas but disapproved of Ben-Gvir’s approach, stating it conflicts with Israel’s values.
Ben-Gvir filmed himself amidst the 430 detainees, mocking them while appealing to the Prime Minister for permission to imprison them. Netanyahu has ordered the deportation of the activists.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions on social media, stating they harmed Israel’s reputation. Ben-Gvir accused Saar of weakness, insisting that no apologies should be made to the activists.
The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, or Adalah, accused Israeli authorities of abuse toward activists, citing similar past incidents. Adalah lawyer Suhad Bishara reported hospitalizations due to unjustified violence against activists.
International criticism followed, with calls for action rather than statements. UK and Italian officials condemned the treatment as degrading and summoned Israeli ambassadors. Turkey and Greece also lodged protests.
Flotilla organizers disputed Israel’s claims of non-lethal interdictions, alleging gunfire damaged vessels. Israel refers to the flotilla as a Hamas-aligned PR stunt.
Israel’s blockade of Gaza has been in place since Hamas took control in 2007, and it intensified post the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. Egypt has also restricted Gaza’s access. Critics label the blockade as collective punishment, while Israel insists it’s a security measure against Hamas.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 72,700 deaths from subsequent Israeli offensives, with no clear distinction between civilians and combatants. International bodies regard the ministry’s statistics as generally reliable.
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