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".
The flotilla, which carried a token amount of aid, set out to highlight the conditions for Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. Israel dismissed it as a "PR stunt at the service of Hamas".
More than 50 boats taking part in the Global Sumud Flotill set sail from Turkey. Armed Israeli naval commandos intercepted the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade.
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". It showed him visiting a detention facility at the port of Ashdod where the activists are being held.
He is seen encouraging security personnel as they push down a female activist who shouts "Free, Free, Palestine" as he walks past her.
Ben-Gvir is shown waving a large Israeli flag next to dozens of activists kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs. He tells them in Hebrew: "Welcome to Israel. We are the masters." Other activists are shown kneeling on the deck of a ship as the Israeli national anthem is played.
The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called Ben-Gvir’s actions "despicable". UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the video showed "totally disgraceful scenes", adding that she had sent a summons to the Israeli embassy to demand an "urgent explanation". Italy, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain said Ben-Gvir’s actions were "unacceptable" and that they had summoned their respective Israeli ambassadors.
Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Emir Nader.
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