Imagine being on a mission to deliver aid, only to end up in a viral video being shackled and forced down to a national anthem. That's exactly what happened to the activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla, and the international community is not having it. 😤
This past Sunday, foreign ministers from eight Arab and Islamic nations—Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—issued a joint statement blasting the "appalling, degrading, and unacceptable" treatment of these activists by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Here is the breakdown: The Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli naval vessels in international waters, roughly 250 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. On Wednesday, the activists were brought to Ashdod Port, where Minister Ben-Gvir released a video showing some of them shackled. The diplomats called this a "disgraceful assault on human dignity" and a clear violation of international law. ⚖️
The diplomatic heat didn't stop there. The ministers deplored the "illegal, extremist" incitement and violence used by Ben-Gvir and other officials against Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory. They warned that such actions only fuel hatred and obstruct any chance for a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
The nations are now demanding full accountability for Ben-Gvir's actions and calling for concrete measures to end these repeated provocations. Following the massive wave of international outrage, Israel announced on Thursday that all activists from the flotilla have been deported. 🌍💬✨
Reference(s):
Arab, Islamic countries condemn Israel over Gaza flotilla activists
cgtn.com
