Ben Gvir Taunts Flotilla Activists, Highlighting Israel's Abuse of Detainees

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing detained Global Sumud Flotilla activists being taunted and physically assaulted after an attempted humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. The footage depicts security agents pushing an activist to the ground, forcing heads down, and moving detainees in a makeshift detention area at the Ashdod port. The activists were intercepted in international waters near Cyprus and all 430 people aboard 50 boats were detained. The flotilla released videos alleging Israeli soldiers shot at the boats, while Israel denied firing shots. The flotilla had departed from Turkey to reach Gaza, which remains under siege and faces ongoing bombardments despite a supposed ceasefire.

"The video shows Israeli security agents physically assaulting an activist who says "Free Palestine," pushing the flotilla member to the ground. Ben Gvir taunts the detained activists, waving an Israeli flag in front of them and shouting, "Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords," while dozens of detained activists are shown kneeling with their hands restrained behind their backs. Throughout the video, masked security agents violently move activists while forcing their heads down, at what appears to be a makeshift detention center at the Ashdod port."

""Our activists are being subjected to violent abuse after being illegally abducted at sea while attempting to break the siege on Gaza," wrote the Global Sumud Flotilla on X. The activists were abducted by Israel in international waters on Tuesday, when Israeli forces intercepted 50 boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla near Cyprus and detained all 430 activists aboard the flotilla."

"The Global Sumud Flotilla released videos of Israeli soldiers shooting at the boats before raiding them, and said that at least five of its boats had been shot at by Israeli forces. Israel denied that it had fired any shots. The flotilla had departed from Turkey last Thursday in a renewed attempt to reach Gaza, which remains under Israeli siege and continues to face regular Israeli bombardments and assaults despite the supposed ceasefire."

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