All articles tagged with #flotilla
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the interception of a Gaza flotilla and called for an independent investigation, while denouncing Itamar Ben Gvir’s video of his encounter with flotilla activists; Ottawa has summoned the Israeli ambassador as Europe weighs sanctions, underscoring heightened tensions in Canada’s approach to Israel and Gaza.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the detention of Gaza flotilla activists as appalling and called for an independent investigation, while Ottawa said it will provide Israel with evidence of mistreatment of Canadians on the flotilla; Foreign Minister Anita Anand also pressed Israel on consular access under the Vienna Convention, underscoring growing Canada-Israel tensions as Canada opposes settlement expansion and violence in Gaza.
Seven Gaza-bound activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla arrived in the UK after being detained and deported by Israel. They say they witnessed prisoners being tortured and abused on Israeli vessels and in prison; Israeli authorities deny misconduct and say detainees were treated lawfully. The BBC could not independently verify the allegations, and the flotilla’s organizers frame the action as humanitarian and not a PR stunt.
France bans Israeli far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory after his actions toward Gaza flotilla detainees, calling for EU sanctions; Poland has also banned him, and the incident drew international condemnation for taunting detained activists and escalating tensions around Gaza.
Israel’s far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting detainees from a Gaza flotilla, echoing abusive practices long alleged in Israeli jails; the clip drew swift international condemnation and a rebuke from Prime Minister Netanyahu, while rights groups warn it highlights systemic mistreatment of Palestinians and calls for accountability remain largely unmet.
Activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla report beatings, tasers, and dog attacks by Israeli forces after their raid on the flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade, recounting shackling, blindfolds, and restricted access to lawyers or diplomats before detention; Israel denies the claims, while foreign leaders condemn the actions and call for accountability.
Activists detained after attempting to ferry aid to Gaza claim abuse in Israeli custody, reporting at least 15 sexual assaults including rape and several hospitalisations; Israel denies the allegations and Reuters could not independently verify them. Probes are underway in Italy, with EU countries weighing sanctions while consular officials in Germany and France note injuries among detainees. The flotilla involved about 430 people on 50 ships, and the episode has drawn international scrutiny and calls for accountability.
EU member states are pressing for sanctions on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after a video showing him taunting flotilla activists detained during the Gaza blockade. Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden and Germany voiced support for action, and 29 MEPs urged EU sanctions, but the Czech Republic blocked moves and legal pathways remain murky. Ben-Gvir has previously faced sanctions from non-EU allies, while Netanyahu distanced himself from the incident.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right figure with a long history of provocative actions—from taunting flotilla activists to backing hardline Gaza policies—faces renewed scrutiny as he oversees security policy in a highly volatile region.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists detained after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla are slated for deportation as international backlash grows over their detention conditions and a taunting video by far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir; the UK and other allies condemned the conduct and said they are seeking explanations, with detainees from multiple countries expected to be moved to Turkey or elsewhere.
A video of Israel’s far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting Global Sumud Flotilla activists during an interception near Ashdod triggered international backlash, exposing Israel’s Hasbara propaganda and triggering a diplomatic shake-up as countries summon Israeli ambassadors and the US imposes sanctions on flotilla organizers, underscoring double standards and accelerating Israel’s global isolation while Hasbara budgets are set to rise.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Seoul should consider the ICC arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while condemning Israel’s seizure of a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying South Korean activists. He questioned the legal basis for intercepting the ships and highlighted international norms, noting that many European countries have issued warrants for Netanyahu. The flotilla, part of ongoing Gaza-relief efforts, involved participants from multiple countries and followed earlier Israeli actions against aid shipments to Gaza.
Israeli forces intercepted the last Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, abducting at least 87 activists who have begun a hunger strike in protest and in solidarity with Palestinian hostages; Israel says hundreds were moved to Israeli vessels, while organizers condemn the raid and international condemnation grows, including US sanctions on four activists.
Jewish and Arab Israeli activists launched a smaller counter flotilla, the Hasbara flotilla, in Israeli waters off Herzliya to counter the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. Led by Yoseph Haddad, they said the mission was to show the difference between them and the 'terror flotilla' and to safeguard Israel’s sovereignty; the ships stayed in Israeli waters for several hours before returning to port, while protesters waved signs mocking the GSF and Haddad accused the organizers of Hamas ties and Erdogan of supporting terror.
President Catherine Connolly said she is “very proud” of her sister, Margaret Connolly, who was detained by Israeli forces aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla en route to Gaza; at least six Irish activists were detained as Israeli troops intercepted vessels south of Cyprus, a development that could strain Ireland–Israel relations. Dublin is monitoring the situation while Israel calls the flotilla a provocation. Margaret released a video claiming she has been kidnapped and is being held in an Israeli prison; the flotilla had departed Marmaris, Turkey, with some ships from Italy.