Everyone is against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Footage released by Benjamin Natanyahu's government representative has gone viral. Footage filmed in the port of Ashdod, where activists from the flotilla detained by the Israeli navy are being held, has gone viral. Under the headline "This is how we welcome supporters of terrorism," Ben-Gvir mocks the activists as he walks among hundreds of detainees, handcuffed and blindfolded, kneeling, and exults: "Welcome to Israel, we are the masters of the house" and "the people of Israel live." In another video, an activist is seen shouting "Free Palestine" as he is knocked to the ground by a police officer. The minister then turns to his prime minister, demanding that the activists be handed over to him for a long time, promising that their fate would be a cell with terrorists.
The videos have sparked widespread outrage and sparked a diplomatic storm. On the island, the main concern is for the two Sardinians who were aboard two boats, Gianfranco Frongia and Ilaria Mancosu, about whom there is still no reliable news.
The latest news
10:17 PM - Flotilla lawyers denounce "extreme violence"
The legal team of the NGO Adalah, which provided assistance to Flotilla members in the port of Ashdod, reports having received "complaints from detainees regarding extreme violence, sexual humiliation, and serious injuries at the hands of Israeli forces," including "at least three cases of people hospitalized and subsequently discharged," and "dozens of participants with suspected rib fractures and resulting breathing difficulties."
Testimonies report "the frequent use of tasers and rubber bullet injuries during interception" at sea. In addition to "physical abuse, participants were subjected to severe degradation, sexual harassment, and humiliation. Several female participants had their hijabs ripped off by Israeli authorities."
9:20 PM – Tajani: "Italians will return tomorrow."
"We have secured the departure of all Italians from Ramon Airport tomorrow morning to be escorted to Greece or Turkey. The negotiations are practically concluded; they are about to be escorted to a center near the airport." This was announced by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in the evening.
- Day of tensions –
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Mattarella's reaction
The Italian reaction from the Quirinale Palace was the most vehement: it was "uncivilized treatment inflicted on people illegally detained in international waters, which reaches the lowest level, by an Israeli government minister," said President Sergio Mattarella.
The Italian government: "Unacceptable"
"The images of Israeli Minister Ben Gvir are unacceptable. It is unacceptable that these protesters, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment that violates their human dignity. The Italian government is immediately taking all necessary steps, at the highest institutional levels, to secure the immediate release of the Italian citizens involved." This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. "Italy," they added, "also demands an apology for the treatment of these protesters and for the total disregard shown for the explicit requests of the Italian government. For these reasons, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will immediately summon the Israeli ambassador to request formal clarifications on what happened." "We pride ourselves on something else, Minister," said Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. "We pride ourselves on having always treated your fellow citizens with respect and we are not in the habit of arresting people in international waters, but rather of rescuing them if they need it. I don't think that this kind of attitude won't benefit Israel."
The Israeli government
Ben-Gvir 's video also prompted Netanyahu to issue a statement: "Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza. However, Minister Ben-Gvir's treatment of the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel's values and norms. I have instructed the relevant authorities to expel the provocateurs as soon as possible," he said in a statement. "You are not the face of Israel," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar wrote in a post on X, retweeting the video released by his cabinet colleague. "With this shameful performance, you have knowingly caused harm to the country, and this is not the first time. You have undermined the enormous, professional, and successful efforts of so many people, from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry employees and many others."
Reactions around the world
All Western governments have summoned their respective Israeli ambassadors: in addition to Italy, the United States, France, Canada, Belgium, Spain, and Great Britain, among others, have done so.
In Sardinia
Regional Council President Piero Comandini took a more Sardinian approach: "Israel must respect international law, but above all, it must not violate human dignity. The national government, faced with the mistreatment suffered by protesters on the humanitarian mission to Gaza, must act without delay," he said, referring to the detention of the crews: 430 people, 30 Italians, including two Sardinians, Ilaria Mancosu and Gianfranco Frongia. "Given the treatment of the protesters, which I consider unacceptable and extremely serious," the president said, "a firm and resolute response from the Italian government is necessary. We cannot stand by and witness this human rights abuse."
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)