Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply criticized the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists detained by Israeli forces after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, describing footage released by Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as incompatible with human dignity.
The flotilla, which departed from Turkey last week, was attempting to challenge "Israel’s" long-standing blockade on Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory. Israeli forces intercepted the convoy before it reached Gaza, detaining hundreds of activists aboard the vessels.
Tensions escalated after Ben-Gvir published a video on X showing detainees kneeling with their hands restrained behind their backs while the Israeli anthem played in the background. Additional footage showed the far-right minister waving an Israeli flag near the detained activists.
Reacting to the images, Meloni demanded the immediate release of Italian nationals held by Israeli authorities and called on Tel Aviv to apologize.
"It is intolerable that these protesters, among whom there are many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity," Meloni said in a statement.
"Italy also demands an apology for the treatment inflicted on these demonstrators and for the total disregard shown towards the explicit requests of the Italian government," she added.
Spain summons Israeli chargé d’affaires
Spain on Monday summoned "Israel’s" chargé d’affaires and lodged what Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described as a “formal and forceful protest” over "Israel’s" interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, calling it “a new violation of international law,” Anadolu reported.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty in Madrid, Albares said Israeli forces had intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla and that Spanish authorities were closely monitoring the situation, El Mundo reported.
“I do not have the exact number of Spaniards, but it would be around 45,” Albares said, adding that between “one and two dozen” Spanish nationals aboard the vessels may currently be detained by Israeli authorities.
Albares said Spain had already established contact with other governments whose citizens were also on board.
The minister called the interception “a new violation of international law” and said he remains uncertain about how Israeli authorities will proceed with those detained, but stressed that the action itself was an “unacceptable act and an illegal detention.”
He said Madrid was following developments “minute by minute” and described the flotilla as “peaceful".
French condemnation
The incident also drew condemnation from Jean-Noël Barrot, who said France had summoned the Israeli ambassador over the matter.
"The safety of our compatriots is a constant priority," Barrot wrote on X.
"Whatever one thinks of this flotilla—and we have indicated on several occasions our disapproval of this initiative—our compatriots who are participating in it must be treated with respect and released as quickly as possible."
Netherlands summons ambassador
The Netherlands will summon "Israel's" ambassador to address the "unacceptable" treatment of detained Gaza flotilla activists after Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video showing dozens being forced to kneel with their hands bound, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said on Wednesday.
"The images shared by extremist Minister Ben-Gvir of detained flotilla activists are shocking and unacceptable," Berendsen said in a post on X.
"This treatment of detainees violates basic human dignity. I raised this directly with my Israeli colleague Gideon Saar and will summon the Israeli ambassador."
Canada to summon Israeli ambassador
Canada will summon the Israeli ambassador to protest after Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Wednesday.
"What we've seen, including the video shared by Itamar Ben-Gvir, is deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable," she told reporters on a conference call. "This is a matter we take very, very seriously. It's a matter of humane treatment of civilians, and I can assure you that we are acting with absolute urgency."
British FM 'truly appalled'
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper on Wednesday said she was "truly appalled" by Ben-Gvir's video taunting activists detained after a Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted.
In a post on X, Cooper said Britain was in contact with the families of several British nationals involved and was providing consular support.
"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," Cooper said.
"Israel" intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Tuesday before transferring those on board to an Israeli port. Canada said on Wednesday it would summon "Israel's" ambassador.
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