Far-right Israeli minister condemned for taunting handcuffed Gaza flotilla activists

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Far-right Israeli minister condemned for taunting handcuffed Gaza flotilla activists13 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleDavid GrittenOffice Of Itamar Ben Gvir/Handout via ReutersFar-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting detained flotilla activistsItaly and France have denounced as "unacceptable" the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces near Cyprus. Both countries summoned Israel's ambassadors after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists detained at the port of Ashdod. His actions prompted rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they were "not in line with Israel's values".

A rights group representing the 430 participants from more than 40 countries who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has demanded their immediate release. The flotilla, which carried a token amount of aid, set out to highlight the tough conditions for Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. Israel dismissed it as a "PR stunt at the service of Hamas".

The Details

Israeli forces board Gaza-bound flotilla near Cyprus, activists sayIsrael deports two activists detained on board Gaza flotillaIsrael releases all but two activists in Greece after intercepting Gaza aid flotillaMore than 50 boats taking part in the flotilla set sail from Turkey last Thursday. 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.

They accused Israel of an "illegal, high-seas aggression" and said Israeli commandos had opened fire at six boats, used water cannon, and intentionally rammed one vessel. The Israeli foreign ministry said no live ammunition was used and insisted it would "not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza". The ministry also said that all the activists had been transferred to Israeli vessels and that they would be allowed to meet their consular representatives after arriving in Israel.

On Wednesday morning, Israeli rights group Adalah said the activists were being "taken into Israeli territory entirely against their will" and detained at Ashdod port. "The legal team will challenge the legality of these detentions and demand the immediate release of all flotilla participants," it added. In the afternoon, Ben-Gvir – an ultra-nationalist who, as national security minister, oversees Israel's police force – posted a video on social media, captioned "Welcome to Israel", which showed him visiting a detention facility where the activists are being held.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.