The world has decried Israel after its far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, posted a video showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla forced to kneel with their hands tied behind their backs and foreheads on the ground.
The footage, published on Ben Gvir's X account on Wednesday and captioned "Welcome to Israel", shows dozens of activists on the deck of a military boat with the Israeli national anthem blaring, and the minister is seen waving an Israeli flag.
Global Sumud Flotilla said on Tuesday that Israel had seized all vessels in its aid convoy
Together, they were carrying 428 people from 44 countries, departing from the Turkish district of Marmaris in a new attempt to break the illegal Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007.
Several countries have also summoned Israeli ambassadors and called Israel's actions “barbaric, deeply disturbing, appalling, shocking, inhumane and disgraceful”.
Türkiye: ‘Barbaric and violent’
Türkiye has condemned the Israeli minister for verbal and physical violence against participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israel in international waters.
The Turkish foreign ministry said the flotilla was unlawfully intercepted by Israel while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“The minister in question, one of the main actors of the genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza, has once again openly demonstrated to the whole world the violent and barbaric mentality of the Netanyahu government,” it said.
The ministry added that Türkiye, together with other countries, is undertaking initiatives to secure the immediate and safe release of the detained Turkish nationals and other flotilla participants.
It said efforts to achieve results as soon as possible are continuing “with determination".
Türkiye's communications director also condemned the aggressive intervention.
“I strongly condemn the intervention carried out against the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, as well as the aggressive treatment of those on board the flotilla, which had set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza,” Burhanettin Duran said in a statement posted on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
Belgium: ‘Deeply disturbing’
Belgium has summoned Israel's ambassador after "deeply disturbing" and "unacceptable" treatment of activists, demanding the immediate release of detainees.
"The images circulating of the treatment of the flotilla activists are deeply disturbing. People held captive, bound, forced face down, and a government minister broadcasting their humiliation on social media," Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot wrote on X.
Canada: ‘Mistreatment’
Canada summoned Israel's ambassador to Ottawa over what Foreign Minister Anita Anand described as "the mistreatment of civilians".
"I have directed my officials to summon the Israeli ambassador regarding the mistreatment of civilians aboard the flotilla," Anand said during a virtual news conference from Estonia.
UK: ‘Truly appalled’
The British foreign secretary said that she is "truly appalled" and demanded an explanation from Tel Aviv.
"I am truly appalled at the video posted by Israeli Cabinet Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla," Yvette Cooper wrote on X.
Ireland: ‘Shocking’
The Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, expressed concern and said this "shocking behaviour" is a breach of international law.
"Appalled at the shocking behaviour of Itamar Ben-Gvir towards illegally detained members of the Sumud flotilla," Micheal Martin wrote on X.
Mentioning that he will raise the issue at the EU level, he noted that the Israeli government’s actions are "in breach of international law".
Earlier, the nation's foreign minister also voiced concern.
Netherlands: ‘Unacceptable’
The Netherlands is to summon the Israeli envoy for “shocking and unacceptable” flotilla activists, the country’s foreign minister has said.
Slovenia: ‘Appalling’
Slovenia condemns Israel's treatment of activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla, calling it “appalling, shocking, and utterly unacceptable”.
Spain: ‘Inhumane and disgraceful’
Spain summoned Israel’s charge d’affaires after Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned what he described as the "monstrous, inhumane, and disgraceful” treatment of activists.
In a video message shared on X, Albares said, "I have seen a horrific, inhumane and disgraceful video in which members of the flotilla were treated unjustly and humiliatingly by an Israeli minister and the police.”
France: ‘Indignation’
France summoned the Israeli ambassador to express its “indignation", French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.
Barrot said he has requested that Israel’s ambassador to France be summoned to provide explanations for the incident.
Portugal: ‘Intolerable behaviour’
Portugal has condemned the “intolerable behaviour” of Ben-Gvir and the mistreatment of activists, calling it a “humiliating violation of human dignity".
"Portugal strongly condemns the intolerable behaviour of the Israeli minister Ben Gvir and the treatment inflicted on the flotilla activists in a humiliating violation of human dignity,” Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said on X.
Germany: ‘Wholly unacceptable’
Germany's ambassador to Israel labelled Ben Gvir's treatment of detained activists as "wholly unacceptable."
Greece: ‘Absolutely condemnable’
Greece's foreign ministry condemned Israel's minister for mocking detained activists.
"The conduct of the Israeli minister of national security, which targeted citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, is unacceptable and absolutely condemnable," the ministry said in a statement.
Hamas: ‘Israel’s moral depravity'
Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned footage released by an Israeli minister, describing it as evidence of Israeli leaders' "moral depravity".
"We, in the Hamas movement, affirm that the scenes of torture and humiliation orchestrated by the criminal, fascist Zionist minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, are an expression of the moral depravity and sadism that govern the mentality of the leaders of the criminal enemy entity (Israel)," Hamas said in a statement.
This was not the first such incident involving the flotilla.
In late April, the Israeli army attacked flotilla boats in international waters off the Greek island of Crete. The convoy at the time included 345 participants from 39 countries, including Turkish citizens.
Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since 2007, leaving the territory’s 2.4 million people on the verge of starvation.
