Israeli Minister Condemned for Taunting Handcuffed Gaza Flotilla Activists

There has been international condemnation of Israel’s treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces.
The US, the UK, France, Italy and Canada were among the countries which expressed outrage after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.
His actions also drew rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they were “not in line with Israel’s values”.
A rights group representing the detainees said they had been physically abused, resulting in “severe, widespread injuries”.
Adalah said at least three people had been taken to hospital and were later discharged.
“[Adalah’s] lawyers documented dozens of participants with suspected broken ribs and resulting difficulty in breathing,” it said.
“Reports also indicated the frequent use of Tasers against participants, as well as injuries sustained from the use of rubber bullets during the interception…
The group said activists were also “subjected to severe degradation and sexual harassment and humiliation”.
Israeli authorities have not commented on the allegations.
More than 50 boats taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) set sail from Turkey last Thursday carrying a token amount of aid. Four hundred and thirty people from more than 40 countries were on board.
Israel dismissed the action as a “PR stunt at the service of Hamas”.
On Monday morning, armed Israeli naval commandos began intercepting the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles (460km) from the coast of Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade.
The GSF’s organisers said all the boats had been intercepted by Tuesday evening, with one managing to get within 80 nautical miles of the Palestinian territory.