Israel faces flotilla diplomatic backlash

Israeli forces’ interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 18 has widened into a diplomatic dispute for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government after National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted video of himself taunting detainees. The footage prompted public criticism from Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and it drew protests from European governments and from South Korea’s president. By Thursday, Reuters reported that some detainees were expected to be deported, while two Italian activists alleged they had been physically assaulted in detention. ### What set off the backlash after the flotilla was stopped? The May 18 interception became more politically damaging after Ben-Gvir released video showing himself at Ashdod port addressing detained activists who had been brought there after the flotilla was stopped. JTA reported that Netanyahu joined a chorus of criticism inside Israel over the video, while CBS reported that Saar publicly said Ben-Gvir was “not the face of Israel.” (jta.org) Reuters reported on May 21 that the video showed Gaza-bound flotilla activists pinned to the ground, and said the treatment of the detainees by police under Ben-Gvir’s direction also drew criticism from the United States. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Ben-Gvir had “betrayed” the dignity of his nation, according to Reuters. (jta.org) ### What did Netanyahu and Saar say? Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had the right to stop what he called provocative flotillas, but he rebuked Ben-Gvir over the handling and presentation of the detainees, according to CBS and JTA. The dispute exposed a public split between Netanyahu and one of the most hard-line ministers in his coalition. (usnews.com) Gideon Saar’s criticism was more direct. CBS reported that Saar said Ben-Gvir was “not the face of Israel,” distancing the foreign ministry from the images circulating abroad. Reuters separately reported that the backlash extended beyond opposition politicians and foreign critics to senior Israeli officials and diplomats. (jta.org) ### Which governments responded, and how? Italy and France summoned Israeli ambassadors after the video circulated, CBS reported. Reuters said the protests spread further across Europe on May 21, with Spain saying it would not tolerate mistreatment of its citizens, Britain’s foreign ministry saying the video violated basic standards of respect and dignity, and Poland’s foreign minister calling for Ben-Gvir to be barred from entering the country. (cbsnews.com) South Korea’s response came from President Lee Jae-myung. The Jerusalem Post reported that Lee, speaking after a South Korean citizen was detained on the flotilla, called Israel’s actions excessive and asked what legal basis Israel had for seizing the vessel. In the same exchange, Lee referred to the International Criminal Court warrant against Netanyahu and said, “Then he’s a war criminal,” according to the report. (cbsnews.com) ### What are activists alleging about their treatment? Reuters reported that Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani said he was beaten after arriving in Israeli detention and described being kicked in the legs and punched in the face. Reuters also reported that Dario Carotenuto, an Italian lawmaker from the 5-Star Movement, said he had been punched in the eye and kicked while detained. (jpost.com) Those allegations added to the pressure created by the video itself. Reuters said Western governments’ reaction on May 21 focused both on the public taunting by Ben-Gvir and on the activists’ treatment in custody. ### What happens next for the detainees? Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said 44 Spanish activists detained in Israel were expected to be released to Spain via Turkey on a flight leaving at 3 p.m. on May 21, according to a Reuters report carried by the Jerusalem Post. (usnews.com) The same report said the flotilla involved 428 participants from more than 40 countries, and that around 90 detainees had begun a hunger strike, citing the Global Sumud Flotilla. Reuters reported on May 21 that the activists intercepted by Israeli naval forces were expected to be deported from Israel that day. Further diplomatic steps are likely to play out through foreign ministries in Rome, Paris, Madrid and Seoul as governments press Israel over the treatment and release of their nationals. (usnews.com) (jpost.com)