FLASH
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Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has caused strong international reactions with the images he published showing activists of the humanitarian flotilla for Gaza kneeling, with their hands tied and surrounded by Israeli forces.
Ben-Gvir mocked the detainees and waved the Israeli flag, while the video was accompanied by the caption: "Welcome to Israel."
According to the Israeli human rights organization Adalah, dozens of activists have reported physical and psychological violence during their arrest and transfer to the port of Ashdod. Three of them ended up in hospital, while several others suffered rib fractures and breathing problems.
Lawyers said detainees were forced to stand in stressful positions for hours and faced the use of rubber bullets, electric shock weapons and other humiliations. Some women reported having their hijabs torn during searches.
The video has brought immediate reactions from several Western countries whose citizens were on the flotilla, including Britain, Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the treatment "unacceptable" and demanded the immediate release of the Italian citizens.
British minister Yvette Cooper said she was "appalled" by the footage, while Australian minister Penny Wong called it "shocking and degrading."
Even the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, a strong supporter of Israel, reacted strongly, calling Ben-Gvir's behavior "disgusting."
Following international outrage, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to distance himself from his minister. "The way Ben-Gvir behaved with the activists does not represent Israel's values," Netanyahu declared, adding that he had ordered the detainees' swift deportation.
Even Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly attacked Ben-Gvir, saying: “You are not the face of Israel.”
More than 400 activists from 40 countries participated in a 50-ship humanitarian flotilla that set off from Turkey to Gaza with food and medical aid. Israeli forces stopped the flotilla in international waters and transported the activists to Israel. Meanwhile, human rights organizations warn that the case is increasing international pressure on the Israeli government over its treatment of prisoners and operations in Gaza.
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