Italy, Canada, and France described the Israeli forces’ treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were heading to Gaza as part of a maritime convoy as “unacceptable.” Following the incident, Israeli ambassadors in those countries were summoned.
The reactions intensified after Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, published a video showing several activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs while being mocked.
The actions of Israel’s National Security Minister even drew criticism from Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu stated that such behavior “does not align with Israel’s values and norms.”
Meanwhile, a human rights group representing 430 participants from more than 40 countries in the “Global Sumud Convoy” called for the release of those detained.
The stated aim of the maritime convoy, which symbolically carried humanitarian aid, was to draw global attention to the humanitarian situation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Israel, however, described the initiative as “a propaganda show serving Hamas.”
According to reports, more than 50 boats were part of the flotilla, which had departed from Turkey last Thursday. On Monday morning, armed commandos from the Israeli Navy began intercepting the convoy in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
