Palestine weekly wrap: Ben-Gvir's abuse of flotilla detainees causes outcry

Israel’s president condemned settler violence and called for an end to prisoner abuse amid growing international outrage over the treatment of Gaza aid activists. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was shown gloating on camera after forces detained a flotilla of largely foreign activists in international waters, forcing them to kneel with arms bound. Reports said at least 15 activists were subjected to sexual assault during detention. France banned Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, and more than a dozen governments summoned Israeli ambassadors or issued formal condemnations, including Italy, Canada, Spain, Ireland, Germany, and South Korea. The US ambassador also rebuked Ben-Gvir. President Isaac Herzog publicly condemned settler violence and abuse of prisoners, while Ben-Gvir called for Herzog’s removal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered advancement of the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar in the E1 corridor.

"This was part of an attempt by activists from across the world to break the siege of Gaza and deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid. The footage combined with reports that at least 15 activists had been subjected to sexual assault during detention triggered the most significant international diplomatic backlash against Israel in recent weeks. France banned Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, while more than a dozen governments, including Italy, Canada, Spain, Ireland, Germany and South Korea, summoned Israeli ambassadors or issued formal condemnations after the brutal detention of their citizens."

"By Sunday, President Isaac Herzog, who occupies a largely ceremonial role, felt compelled to respond to the crisis publicly, condemning settler violence as brutishness that threatens us all, and saying it must be forbidden to abuse prisoners. Ben-Gvir responded in a social media post by calling for Herzog's removal from office. The flotilla scandal dominated international headlines, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered the advancement of the long-threatened demolition of Khan al-Ahmar the Bedouin village in the strategic E1 corridor, east of Jerusalem."

"In the past, he has been accompanied by camera crews as he toured Israeli prisons holding Palestinian detainees. This week, Ben-Gvir was seen on camera gloating over a group of largely foreign activists who were forced to kneel on the floor with their arms bound after Israeli forces detained their flotilla in international waters. This was part of an attempt by activists from across the world to break the siege of Gaza and deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid."

"Even US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said Ben-Gvir had betrayed the dignity of his nation, a rare rebuke of an Israeli minister by an American official. France banned Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, while more than a dozen governments, including Italy, Canada, Spain, Ireland, Germany and South Korea, summoned Israeli ambassadors or issued formal condemnations after the brutal detention of their citizens. The footage combined with reports that at least 15 activists had been subjected to sexual assault during detention triggered the most significant international diplomatic backlash against Israel in recent weeks."

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