Three Austrian nationals, including a Sumud Flotilla activist, detained in Israel

Moscow (ANTARA) - Three Austrian nationals have been detained in Israel after taking part in the humanitarian mission of the Sumud Flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said on Wednesday. Earlier that day, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said the navy had detained 430 activists from a flotilla delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video showing Israeli security agents forcing the detainees of the flotilla to kneel face-down with their hands bound. Ben-Gvir himself appears in the footage, waving the Israeli flag and making provocative statements toward the activists. The video drew strong reactions from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who said the video did not reflect Israel’s “values and norms” and did not represent Israel. “Three Austrian citizens are also currently being detained in Israel. Some of the videos disseminated by the right-wing Police Minister Ben-Gvir about the treatment of the activists are completely unacceptable,” Meinl-Reisinger wrote on X. “This indeed warrants firm condemnation by my colleagues from Israel, Gideon Saar. Today we conveyed our anger to the Israeli Embassy in Vienna,” she added. Austria has repeatedly urged Israel to exercise maximum restraint in handling the humanitarian flotilla and to comply with international law, the minister said. “We continue to stay in contact with the Israeli authorities. Our embassy team is providing max support to the detainees to facilitate their departure as quickly as possible,” she added. Vienna shares the same goal of improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Meinl-Reisinger said. “However, we strongly advise not to participate in the humanitarian flotilla under these circumstances. Of course, the safety of Austrian citizens is our top priority,” the minister said. Israeli authorities have repeatedly warned that they will vigorously prevent any attempt to reach Gaza, saying the actions are a provocation to support Hamas and have no humanitarian purpose. Over the past year, activists from various countries have repeatedly tried to sail to Gaza, but have been intercepted by the Israeli Navy special forces and subsequently deported. The aid flotilla departed Barcelona on 15 April. On Monday, organizers said the flotilla was surrounded and blocked by the Israeli navy in international waters, about 250 miles from the Gaza coast. Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti Translator: Katriana