Friday, May 22Friday, May 22Israel has completed the deportation of all foreign activists detained from the *Global Sumud Flotilla*, which attempted to breach the Gaza blockade earlier this week. The first group of 422 activists arrived in Turkey following their release, with Israel confirming the full deportation of over 430 individuals from multiple countries . The move comes amid intense global backlash over the activists' treatment in Israeli custody, particularly after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video taunting the detained protesters, who were shown kneeling with their hands bound .
The video, which depicted Ben-Gvir heckling activists while waving an Israeli flag, has drawn widespread condemnation from world leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who distanced himself from the minister’s actions . Multiple European countries, including Italy, Spain, Poland, and the Baltic states, have called for sanctions against Ben-Gvir, with Poland announcing an entry ban on the minister . France, which had 37 nationals among the detainees, summoned a senior Israeli diplomat and condemned the incident, though it stopped short of endorsing sanctions .
The UK joined other nations in formally reprimanding Israel, summoning diplomats to express disapproval over the activists' treatment . Critics argue that Ben-Gvir’s actions reflect a broader pattern of extremism, with observers noting his history of provocative behavior . The incident has reignited debates over Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the treatment of activists attempting to deliver aid to the territory.
> Background: **Israel faces global backlash after minister taunts detained Gaza flotilla activists.** — *10 hours ago*
More LFE coverage on this topic
Ben Gvirs flotilla video: Netanyahu has lost control of the government Italy and Spain are calling on the EU to sanction Israels far-right national security minister, over his posting of a video showing detained Gaza-bound activists forced to their knees with their hands bound. The footage - which showed Itamar Ben Gvir heckling activists while waving an Israeli flag - has prompted a global outcry. France 24s Sharon Gaffney speaks to Yossi Mekelberg, senior consulting fellow at Chatham House.
france24 · about 20 hours ago
First Gaza flotilla activists arrive in Turkey after Israel deportation Israel said on Thursday it had deported all the foreign activists seized by its forces from a Gaza-bound flotilla, as the first group arrived in Turkey following global outcry over their treatment in custody. Hundreds of activists from countries around the world were placed in detention in Israel after they were intercepted at sea on Monday while making the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory. Turkish foreign ministry sources said 422 activists,...
south china morning post · about 21 hours ago
Israeli Ministers Taunting of Detained Flotilla Activists Sparks Foreign Backlash Foreign leaders and Israeli officials are condemning Itamar Ben-Gvirs treatment of Global Sumud Flotilla activists.
foreignpolicy.com · about 22 hours ago
Israeli security minister who taunted flotilla activists has a record of extreme actions Israels far-right national security minister has sparked global outrage after promoting a video of himself taunting activists from a flotilla to Gaza who were detained by his police force
independent · 1 day ago
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theguardian · 1 day ago
Outrage grows after Israeli minister mocks Gaza flotilla activists
news.yahoo.com · 1 day ago
Israel deports foreign Gaza-bound flotilla activists after global outcry Move comes amid condemnation of Itamar Ben-Gvir after video posted showing detained protesters being tauntedIsrael has said it has deported all the foreign activists it seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla, after a global outcry over their treatment in custody that led the UK to join other countries in summoning Israeli diplomats for a formal dressing down.More than 430 activists from countries around the world had been placed in detention in Israel after they were intercepted at sea on Monday while making the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory. Continue reading...
theguardian · 1 day ago
Gaza flotilla activists deported from Israel as backlash over treatment grows
news.yahoo.com · 1 day ago
Israel says all Gaza flotilla activists have been deported amid global outrage over their treatment Multiple European countries are calling for EU sanctions against Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
euronews · 1 day ago
Poland to impose entry ban on Israeli security minister over treatment of Gaza activists The move came after Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video in which he taunts activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla.
notes from poland · 1 day ago
Baltic states condemn degrading treatment of Gaza flotilla activists by Israel Lithuanias foreign ministry on Thursday said any behaviour that degrades human dignity is unacceptable and reprehensible after criticism of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over his treatment of detained flotilla activists.
lrt · 1 day ago
France condemns Israel as it deports 37 French nationals over Gaza flotilla France said Israel is deporting 37 French nationals detained aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to Turkey, as Paris summoned a senior Israeli diplomat over a video showing Israels national security minister taunting the activists. France said it was too early to discuss sanctions against the minister.
france24 · 1 day ago