Wednesday, May 20th 2026
Several countries around the world and MPs condemned on Wednesday the treatment of activists detained on the humanitarian flotilla “Sumud”, which was traveling to Gaza.
The reactions came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition partner and Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, published footage showing activists arrested by Israeli forces in international waters with their hands tied and forced to were kneeling.
France called the Israeli ambassador to express “indignation”, while Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described Ben-Gvir’s actions as “unacceptable” and demanded the release “as soon as possible” of the French citizens.
“Mr. Ben-Gvir’s actions towards the passengers of the ‘Sumud’ flotilla, also condemned by his colleagues in the government Israelis, are unacceptable,” Barrot wrote in X.
He said Paris had repeatedly expressed opposition to the flotilla initiative, but stressed that French citizens “must be treated with respect and released as soon as possible.”
Spain also summoned Israel’s charge d’affaires after Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned the “monstrous,” “inhuman” and “shameful” treatment of activists in flotilla.
Italy announced it will recall the Israeli ambassador after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the “unacceptable” treatment.
“The footage of Israeli Minister Ben Gvir is unacceptable. It is unacceptable that these protesters, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to treatment that violates their human dignity,” the government said in a statement.
Italy said it was taking immediate steps “at the highest institutional levels” to secure the release of the Italians involved in the incident and demanded a formal explanation and apology from Israel.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “deeply shocked” by the footage, saying it violated “the most basic standards of respect and dignity”.
Belgium also summoned the Israeli ambassador, while the Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot described the treatment of the activists as “deeply disturbing” and “unacceptable”.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen condemned the “shocking and unacceptable” scenes, saying the treatment of the detainees “violates basic human dignity”.
Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin called the behavior “shocking” and said it constituted a “violation of international law”, while Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon described the treatment of the activists as “shocking and completely unacceptable”.
Greece also condemned the treatment of the activists, with the Foreign Ministry calling Ben-Gvir’s behavior “unacceptable and absolutely reprehensible”.
The United Kingdom has also criticized Israel after the release of a video showing Gaza flotilla activists being treated badly. inappropriate.
“We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and have made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all involved,” said the British Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper.
Poland and Portugal also expressed concern about the incident and demanded an explanation from Israel, emphasizing the need to respect international law and human dignity.
The Sumud Global Flotilla announced that on Tuesday that all 50 ships of its humanitarian convoy had been seized by Israel. The convoy was carrying 428 people from 44 countries after leaving Marmaris in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza imposed since 2007.
Several European lawmakers and political figures also condemned Israel’s actions and called for sanctions as well as the release of those detained.
Vice President of the Left group in the European Parliament, Kostas Arvanitis, condemned what he called “piracy” towards the flotilla and demanded the immediate release of all detainees, including 19 Greek citizens.
German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, described Ben-Gvir’s treatment of detainees as “totally unacceptable and incompatible with the basic values of our countries”.
Italian opposition leader and former prime minister Giuseppe Conte accused Ben-Gvir of humiliating activists after a “illegal arrest” in international waters and demanded sanctions against the Israeli government.
Italian Senator Matteo Renzi called Ben-Gvir a “political criminal” and asked the Italian government to act “concretely, not with empty statements”.
Irish lawmaker Paul Murphy released footage showing Irish citizen Caitriona Graham in custody, accusing Israel of kidnapping activists in the waters international and their exposure to “humiliation, violence and aggression”.
French MEP Manon Aubry demanded immediate sanctions against the Israeli government, while Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure said Israel “must explain, fire Ben Gvir and apologize to the world”.
French lawmaker Gabrielle Cathala said Ben-Gvir “must be arrested”, while MP Thomas Portes accused Israel of using “terrorist methods”.
Source: prizrenpost
Etiketa: Brief
