Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Posts Video of Global Sumud Flotilla Activists: Hands Tied, Kneeling
Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir uploaded a video showing how Israeli security forces treat activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla who were detained while on a humanitarian mission to Gaza. The clip, reported by Al Jazeera on Thursday, carries the caption ‘Welcome to Israel’ and features the Israeli national anthem playing in the background. The video provoked anger among several foreign ministers and diplomats, with France, the Netherlands and Canada summoning Israeli ambassadors to protest the manner in which the activists, including many Italian nationals, were treated in a way that violates their human dignity, according to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who commented on X. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged the immediate release of his country’s citizens. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the affair was inhumane toward civilians, and promised action “as quickly as possible”. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said some of his nationals were kidnapped at sea in the Mediterranean while en route to Gaza, a body of water described as outside Israel’s territorial control, asking whether a third-country vessel could be seized and detained in such a conflict. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called Israel’s actions horrific and urged the immediate release of the activists.
Of the nine Indonesian citizens detained, a journalist from Republika, Bambang Noroyono, and journalist Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah, and Andre Prasetyo Nugroho from Tempo TV were seized by the Israeli military after the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters on Monday night Jakarta time. The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia confirmed that all Indonesian nationals taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 towards the Gaza Strip were detained by Israel. The Indonesian government said it would continue diplomatic coordination to ensure the safety of the Indonesian participants, with communication channels established with Jordan and Turkey. The Forum for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens (FPCI) strongly condemned the detention of nine Indonesians in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 and urged immediate release in accordance with international law.
Additionally, reports indicate Israel intercepted all ships bound for Gaza that were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0, according to mission organisers on Wednesday. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry confirmed the capture of the Indonesian participants. Foreign Minister Sugiono said Indonesia would ensure the safety of the Indonesians and was coordinating with Jordan and Turkey.
Separately, the United States and Iran began exchanging outlines for their nuclear programmes. Despite some progress, both the United States and Israel heightened their military readiness for possible conflict. The New York Times reported on plans for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to emerge as a leading figure in Iran amid the armed conflict.