Eight Arab and Islamic nations condemn Israel's treatment of activists

Cairo (ANTARA) – Foreign ministers from eight Arab and Islamic nations condemned on Sunday (24 May) the treatment of activists detained from the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The Israeli treatment of the activists was described as ‘terrible, demeaning, and unacceptable’.

In a joint statement, foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar said Ben-Gvir’s deliberate public humiliation of detainees was a shameful attack on human dignity and a clear breach of international law.

They also condemned Ben-Gvir and other Israeli officials’ ‘illegal and extremist’ incitement and violence against Palestinians in occupied Palestinian territories.

They stated that such actions fuel hatred and extremism, hindering efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace based on a two-state solution.

The diplomats demanded accountability for Ben-Gvir’s actions and called for concrete steps to halt his provocations, incitement, and repeated violations.

Hundreds of members of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla were taken to Ashdod Port in Israel on Wednesday (20 May) after Ben-Gvir released a video showing some of them shackled and forced to bow while Israeli national anthem played.

The Global Sumud Flotilla organisers said Israeli naval vessels intercepted all ships in the convoy in international waters, approximately 250 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast.

Israel said on Thursday (21 May) that all activists from the aid flotilla had been deported following international outrage over Ben-Gvir’s treatment of them.