The Israeli government announced Thursday that hundreds of activiststrying to breach its naval blockade of Gaza have been released and deported, according to multiple reports. This came amid international outrage over their treatment, which prompted several countries to summon Israeli envoys.
Key Takeaways
Israel has deported hundreds of activists who attempted to breach its naval blockade of Gaza, following international backlash over their treatment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for a video showing him taunting detained activists. Several countries summoned Israeli envoys to protest the activists' treatment and Ben-Gvir's actions.
- Israel deported hundreds of flotilla activists after international backlash
- Netanyahu criticized Ben-Gvir's treatment of detainees as not aligning with Israeli values
- Multiple countries, including Britain, France, Italy, summoned Israeli envoys to protest the activists' treatment and Ben-Gvir's actions.
- The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on several European activists aboard the flotilla.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the activists' swift deportation after sharply rebuking National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for a video showing him taunting handcuffed and kneeling detainees. Netanyahu stated that while Israel has the right to stop "provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters," Ben-Gvir's actions were "not in line with Israel’s values and norms."
Ben-Gvir released videos on Wednesday showing him among approximately 430 detainees, some kneeling with their heads touching the floor. Several countries, including Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Indonesia summoned Israeli envoys to protest Ben-Gvir's actions and the treatment of flotilla activists.
The flotilla aimed to draw attention to conditions for nearly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza. Israel stopped vessels near Crete on April 30 and detained two high-profile activists before deporting them. The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on several European activists aboard the flotilla, calling them "pro-terror."
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