Jerusalem / Gaza: Italy, France and Canada have strongly criticised the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were detained after Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters.
The diplomatic tensions escalated after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a controversial video showing activists kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs while he appeared to mock them. The footage sparked outrage internationally and led the three countries to summon Israeli ambassadors to explain the incident.
The actions of Ben-Gvir also received unusual criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly stated that the minister’s behaviour was “not in line with Israel’s values.”
The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international campaign involving around 430 participants from more than 40 countries. The flotilla aimed to draw global attention to the worsening humanitarian conditions faced by Palestinians in the war-affected Gaza Strip.
Human rights organisations representing the participants demanded the immediate release of those detained and condemned the manner in which they were treated during and after the interception.
Israeli authorities, however, dismissed the mission as a “public relations stunt” allegedly serving the interests of Hamas, and maintained that the flotilla was carrying only a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid.
The incident has further intensified international debate surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, humanitarian access, and the treatment of activists attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians.
DPCI International Desk reports that the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla has triggered fresh diplomatic tensions between Israel and several Western nations, while human rights groups continue demanding accountability and the release of detained activists.
