The Telegraph
Israel was widely condemned for the “monstrous” and “unacceptable” humiliation of activists who were detained after trying to deliver humanitarian aid by boat to Gaza. Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, said she was “truly appalled” by a video posted by Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli national security minister, in which he taunted protesters as they knelt on the floor with their wrists tied.
“We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all those involved,” Ms Cooper said. Around 430 protesters from more than 40 different countries were filmed in a makeshift detention area in the port of Ashdod and on the deck of a ship. The minister waved a large Israeli flag and mockingly told the detainees: “Welcome to Israel, we are the masters of the house.”
<snip>
Ms Meloni and Antonio Tajani, Italy’s foreign minister, said Rome “demands an apology for the treatment” of the activists.
Guido Crosetto, the defence minister, told Israel: “We pride ourselves on having always treated your compatriots with respect, and we are not in the habit of arresting people in international waters, but rather of rescuing them if they need it. I don’t think this kind of behaviour is in the best interests of Israel.”
Opposition MPs called for more than diplomatic remonstrations.
Riccardo Ricciardi, from the progressive Five Star Movement, said: “We would like to see the country and the continent raise their heads, sanction Israel, and sever all trade agreements with the most criminal government in the world today.”
José Manuel Albares, Spain’s foreign minister, condemned the treatment of the protesters as “monstrous, disgraceful and inhumane”. Canada, Turkey, Ireland, the Netherlands and France also condemned the treatment of the activists.
Australia and New Zealand both said they would summon the Israeli ambassadors to their countries over the footage.
Read full article at link below:
Recent Comments