Italy 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.'
More 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 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.'
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.
Ben-Gvir, who oversees Israel's police force, posted a video on social media showing himself visiting a detention facility 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.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the video 'unacceptable' and demanded an apology, stating it is intolerable for the activists, including many Italian citizens, to be treated in a way that violates human dignity.
Ben-Gvir's actions have drawn rare criticism from within Israel, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict.
