Published 05/21/2026 12:37 | Edited 05/21/2026 19:02
The release of a video in which Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, appears humiliating activists from the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla provoked a worldwide diplomatic reaction against the Israeli government this Thursday (21).
European countries, Brazil, members of the UN and even Tel Aviv’s historical allies publicly condemned the images, demanded the immediate release of those detained and, in some cases, defended sanctions against the far-right minister.
The images, released by Ben-Gvir himself on social media, show activists kneeling, with their hands tied and their heads facing the ground after the vessels were intercepted in international waters.
At one point, the Israeli minister appears brandishing an Israeli flag while taunting the prisoners.
The repercussions expanded the diplomatic crisis that had already opened after the interception of the flotilla, which was carrying hundreds of activists from dozens of countries in an attempt to break the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
Among those detained are three Brazilians: Ariadne Telles, Thainara Rogério and Beatriz Moreira de Oliveira.
The Brazilian government had already released a joint note with Bangladesh, Colombia, Spain, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Pakistan and Turkey condemning the Israeli operation and classifying the detention of the activists as arbitrary.
The text states that attacks against civilian humanitarian missions represent a violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
Italy was one of the countries that adopted the harshest tone after the video was released. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador and demanded formal explanations about the treatment given to the activists.
Tajani also stated that he will defend the discussion of sanctions against Ben-Gvir at the next European Union meeting for “unacceptable acts”, including humiliation and harassment against prisoners.
Spain also announced that it will push for the extension, throughout the European Union, of the ban on Ben-Gvir’s entry into European territory. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the images were “unacceptable” and declared that Madrid “will not tolerate” mistreatment of Spanish citizens.
The United Kingdom summoned the Israeli chargé d’affaires after finding that the video “violates the most basic standards of respect and human dignity.” British Chancellor Yvette Cooper said she was “truly horrified” by the images.
France, the Netherlands, Poland, Canada, Portugal and Australia also summoned Israeli diplomatic representatives or released statements condemning the episode. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney classified the treatment given to activists as “abominable”, while the Portuguese government denounced a “humiliating violation of human dignity”.
The UN also reacted to the case. A spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that investigations should be opened into allegations of torture and ill-treatment against Palestinians and foreigners detained by Israel. “Those responsible must be held accountable,” the agency declared.
Even the United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee — a historic ally of the Israeli right and a member of the Trump administration — criticized Ben-Gvir. Although he called the flotilla a “stupid action,” Huckabee said the minister “betrayed the dignity of his nation.”
The criticism comes one day after the United States government announced sanctions against four organizers of the flotilla, accusing them, without presenting public evidence, of links to Hamas.
The measure was denounced by human rights organizations as yet another example of Washington’s alignment with Israeli policy against Gaza.
According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, around 430 activists from 44 countries were detained after the vessels were intercepted. Organizations linked to the mission denounce physical attacks, psychological abuse and systematic violations of rights during Israeli custody.
Source: vermelho.org.br