Wednesday, May 20Wednesday, May 20The Global Sumud Flotilla, a Gaza-bound aid convoy organized by activists, was intercepted by Israeli forces in the eastern Mediterranean after setting sail from Turkey last week. Approximately 430 activists from multiple countries, including Ireland, Greece, the UK, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and France, were detained while attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza .
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right figure, sparked international outrage after releasing a video showing detained activists kneeling on the ground with their hands bound behind their backs, accompanied by the taunting caption: *"Welcome to Israel."* The footage, widely condemned as dehumanizing, depicted Ben-Gvir personally mocking the detainees, some of whom were later told they *"should be jailed for a long time"* .
The incident triggered a diplomatic backlash, with multiple European governments summoning Israeli ambassadors and issuing strong condemnations. France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Ireland, and the UK denounced the treatment of the activists as "unacceptable," with some leaders, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, calling for their immediate release. Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris expressed particular outrage, noting that 12 Irish citizens, including the sister of President Catherine Connolly, were among those detained .
The detained activists were transported to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where they disembarked under police custody. Greek diplomats confirmed that Greek nationals aboard the flotilla were among those detained and were receiving consular assistance . The flotilla’s interception and the subsequent treatment of its participants have reignited debates over Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the legality of its enforcement measures.
> Background: **Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla, detains activists amid global backlash.** — *1 days ago*
More LFE coverage on this topic
Israel faces European backlash over Gaza flotilla detentions Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked condemnation abroad on Wednesday, after releasing videos showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla, hands bound and foreheads on the ground. Several European countries called for the activists release while France, Spain and the Netherlands announced they had summoned Israeli ambassadors.
le monde · about 3 hours ago
European governments slam Israels treatment of flotilla activists as unacceptable The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey last week in the latest attempt by activists to breach Israels blockade of the Palestinian territory.
euronews · about 4 hours ago
Israeli security minister stirs diplomatic outrage with flotilla activist abuse video Far-right figure Itamar Ben-Gvir shares footage of himself taunting bound international detaineesIsraels far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked a diplomatic crisis by publishing footage of Israeli security forces abusing international activists who were detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid.There was a rapid and furious response from countries whose citizens were on board the boats, including the UK, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, in many cases delivered in person from the top of government. Continue reading...
theguardian · about 5 hours ago
Taoiseach appalled by Israeli ministers video showing Gaza flotilla activists with hands bound Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of President Catherine Connolly, is among 12 Irish citizens who were detained on Monday.
thejournal · about 6 hours ago
Israeli ministers video mocking Gaza aid flotilla sparks outrage
news.yahoo.com · about 7 hours ago
Far-right Israeli minister condemned for taunting handcuffed Gaza flotilla activists
news.yahoo.com · about 7 hours ago
Outrage as Israeli minister filmed taunting international activists detained in Israel Israeli police on Wednesday forced detained activists who were aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to kneel on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their backs while a minister looked on, drawing criticism from foreign leaders and even from inside Israels own government.
independent · about 7 hours ago
Far-right Israeli minister sparks outcry with video of bound and kneeling Gaza flotilla activists Israels far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on Wednesday of some 430 activists detained from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, many of them bound and kneeling, accompanied by the message: Welcome to Israel. European governments and Israeli politicians were quick to denounce the video.
france24 · about 8 hours ago
Israels Ben-Gvir publishes video taunting detained flotilla activists
aljazeera · about 9 hours ago
Greek Activists Detained in Gaza Flotilla Raid Disembark in Israel Greek pro-Palestinian activists participating in the flotilla to Gaza and detained at sea by Israeli forces disembarked in Israel, where Greek diplomats are offering assistance, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. Ministry spokeswoman Lana Zochiou stated that Greek citizens aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels—which were intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean— disembarked at the Israeli port […]
greek reporter · about 10 hours ago
Israeli security minister tells detained flotilla activists they should be jailed for a long time Detained activists from a flotilla of boats that tried to get past Israels blockade of Gaza have arrived in the port city of Ashdod aboard Israeli naval ships
independent · about 10 hours ago