Israel's ambassador to France assured Paris on Thursday that all Gaza flotilla activists held in Israel, French and other nationalities alike, would be repatriated "as soon as possible," provided they have no ties to Hamas. The pledge came a day after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a video of himself taunting approximately 430 detained activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla as they knelt on the ground with their hands bound at the port of Ashdod, triggering a wave of diplomatic protests across Europe and beyond.
"We changed the law so we can let them leave as soon as possible," ambassador Joshua Zarka told the French public broadcaster France Info. "And this will apply not only to the French, but to all participants" in the flotilla. He added, however, that some participants "have direct links" to Hamas, and those individuals would be questioned and remain in Israeli custody.
Zarka expressed personal regret over the video, describing it as a "communications exercise" staged for electoral purposes by the far-right minister. His deputy will attend the summoning by the French foreign ministry, he said, as the ambassador himself is currently abroad.
The videos, published on Ben Gvir's social media account on Wednesday and captioned "Welcome to Israel," showed activists forced to kneel with their hands fastened behind their backs. In a second clip, Ben Gvir could be heard saying the activists "came here all full of pride like big heroes, look at them now," while waving an Israeli flag. A handcuffed activist who shouted "Free Palestine" as Ben Gvir walked past was immediately pushed to the ground by security personnel. The footage drew condemnation not only internationally but also within Israel's own government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rebuked his minister, saying Ben Gvir's conduct "is not in line with Israel's values and norms," while ordering the deportation of the activists "as soon as possible." Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar went further, accusing Ben Gvir of a "disgraceful display" in which he had "knowingly caused harm" to the state of Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey on 14 May carrying activists from more than 40 countries and was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters off Cyprus before being brought to Ashdod.
The diplomatic fallout was swift and broad. France summoned the Israeli ambassador on Wednesday over Ben Gvir's "unacceptable actions." Poland's foreign ministry called in Israel's chargé d'affaires in Warsaw, with Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski demanding an apology for "the extremely inappropriate behaviour of a member of the Israeli government" and calling for the immediate release of Polish citizens and treatment in line with international norms. Canada, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal also summoned Israeli envoys, with Spain's Prime Minister describing Ben Gvir as having "humiliated the people on the international flotilla" and pledging to push the EU to sanction the minister. Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that 44 Spanish activists held in Israel would be deported to Spain via Turkey on a flight departing at 3pm local time on Thursday.
Source: CNA
