World Reacts with Outrage at Israel's Treatment of Gaza Flotilla Activists

International condemnation has surged following a video released by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir that shows Gaza flotilla activists in the custody of Israeli security forces, with their hands bound and foreheads touching the ground. The activists are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade. The footage has been described as a violation of human dignity and international law.

Reactions from several countries followed:

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the immediate release of Italian detainees and demanded a formal apology from Israel, stating it is intolerable that protesters, including many Italians, are subjected to such treatment.

• France summoned the Israeli ambassador in Paris. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said he was outraged by Ben Gvir’s actions and demanded a full explanation.

• Ireland’s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was shocked by the footage; among those detained was Catherine Connolly, sister of the Irish president. Ireland urged the immediate release of those detained, described as illegally held.

• Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called the treatment monstrous, shameful and inhumane, and summoned the Israeli envoy in Madrid for clarification.

• German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert said the treatment was completely unacceptable and not in line with core democratic values, noting that voices within Israel itself condemned Ben Gvir’s actions.

• Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a sharper statement, accusing Ben Gvir of displaying the

violent and barbaric mentality of the Netanyahu administration to the world.

Other countries are reported to have taken firm diplomatic steps in response to the incident.