Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists intercepted during a symbolic Gaza aid flotilla have been deported from Israel following international condemnation over a viral video showing far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir taunting detainees with their hands bound behind their backs. The deportation came as over a dozen countries condemned Israel's handling of the incident, with the UK, Poland, Italy, and France demanding explanations and apologies for the minister's conduct.
The UK summoned Israel's top diplomat in London after Foreign Office officials called Ben Gvir's actions 'strongly condemned' and demanded 'an explanation' for alleged 'detention conditions'. Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed 'outrage' at the treatment of Polish citizens and called for a ban on Ben Gvir, while Italy's Antonio Tajani urged EU sanctions for 'unacceptable acts' including 'seizing activists in international waters and subjecting them to harassment and humiliation'.
Turkish Airlines chartered three planes to repatriate 422 activists, including 85 Turkish nationals and 37 French citizens. Turkey's Deputy Minister H. Ali Özel welcomed the arrivals at Istanbul Airport, where protesters wearing keffiyehs were greeted by crowds. Meanwhile, Ireland confirmed 15 of its citizens would be flown to Turkey, and Spain reported 44 Spanish nationals would depart Israel that day. Italian politician Dario Carotenuto described being 'beaten after arriving in Israel' and recounted 'severe, widespread injuries' among detainees reported by Adalah, an Israeli rights group.
Israeli authorities defended the deportation, stating it was necessary to 'prevent breaches of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza' and dismissed the flotilla as a 'PR stunt at the service of Hamas'. Despite this, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben Gvir's behavior as 'not in line with Israel's values', while President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also condemned the video as not reflecting government policy. The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying over 400 participants from 40 countries, was intercepted by Israeli naval commandos in international waters west of Cyprus on Monday, with activists claiming the vessel was sailing 'to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza'.
This incident has intensified scrutiny of Ben Gvir, whose actions sparked rare criticism from within Israel's leadership. Activists and diplomatic responses highlight growing tensions between Israel's security policies and international norms on humanitarian access to Gaza, as well as the escalating polarization around the blockade controversy.}
The UK summoned Israel's top diplomat in London after Foreign Office officials called Ben Gvir's actions 'strongly condemned' and demanded 'an explanation' for alleged 'detention conditions'. Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed 'outrage' at the treatment of Polish citizens and called for a ban on Ben Gvir, while Italy's Antonio Tajani urged EU sanctions for 'unacceptable acts' including 'seizing activists in international waters and subjecting them to harassment and humiliation'.
Turkish Airlines chartered three planes to repatriate 422 activists, including 85 Turkish nationals and 37 French citizens. Turkey's Deputy Minister H. Ali Özel welcomed the arrivals at Istanbul Airport, where protesters wearing keffiyehs were greeted by crowds. Meanwhile, Ireland confirmed 15 of its citizens would be flown to Turkey, and Spain reported 44 Spanish nationals would depart Israel that day. Italian politician Dario Carotenuto described being 'beaten after arriving in Israel' and recounted 'severe, widespread injuries' among detainees reported by Adalah, an Israeli rights group.
Israeli authorities defended the deportation, stating it was necessary to 'prevent breaches of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza' and dismissed the flotilla as a 'PR stunt at the service of Hamas'. Despite this, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben Gvir's behavior as 'not in line with Israel's values', while President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also condemned the video as not reflecting government policy. The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying over 400 participants from 40 countries, was intercepted by Israeli naval commandos in international waters west of Cyprus on Monday, with activists claiming the vessel was sailing 'to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza'.
This incident has intensified scrutiny of Ben Gvir, whose actions sparked rare criticism from within Israel's leadership. Activists and diplomatic responses highlight growing tensions between Israel's security policies and international norms on humanitarian access to Gaza, as well as the escalating polarization around the blockade controversy.}
