Israel’s most senior diplomat in the UK has been summoned over a video posted by the country’s security minister taunting detainees from an aid flotilla.
Israeli police on Wednesday forced detained activists who were aboard a flotilla, bound for Gaza, to kneel on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their backs while a minister looked on.
Israel’s police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media platform X showing officers forcing a detained activist to the ground after she chants “Free, free Palestine”.
In the background, soldiers armed with long guns can be seen patrolling the area from aboard a military vessel.
“They came as big heroes,” Mr Ben Gvir says in the video as he walks by the activists while carrying a large Israeli flag. “Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything.”
The video has drawn criticism from foreign leaders and even from inside Israel’s own government.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “The UK has today summoned the Israeli chargé d’affaires to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office following the inflammatory video posted by Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
“The summoning reflects the UK’s strong condemnation of his conduct in taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla. This behaviour violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity for people.
“We are also deeply concerned by the detention conditions depicted and have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities. We made clear their obligations to protect the rights of all those involved.
“The flotilla’s attempt to deliver aid underlines the severity of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israel must ensure significantly more aid can enter safely and at scale through land routes.
“We are in contact with the families of a number of British nationals involved and stand ready to provide consular support at any time.”
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said on Wednesday she was “truly appalled” at the video, which she said “violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated”.
In a statement, she added: “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.”
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said: “It is intolerable that these protesters, among whom there are many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity.”
