France, Italy Summon Israeli Envoys Over Flotilla Activist Mistreatment

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the treatment "unacceptable," particularly because several detained activists were Italian citizens. The footage shows Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir walking among blindfolded, handcuffed activists while making provocative statements.

European Leaders Demand Explanations

"It is unacceptable that these demonstrators should be subjected to treatment that violates human dignity," Meloni said in a social media statement. Her government moved quickly to formally protest the treatment of its nationals.

In Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said he would convey France's "outrage" directly to the Israeli ambassador and demand explanations for the disturbing footage. Barrot emphasized that protecting French nationals remained a top priority and called for detained activists to be treated with respect and released promptly.

Welcome to Israel, we are the owners of this house.

According to Israeli outlet Yedioth Ahronoth, Ben-Gvir appeared prominently in the footage, telling activists "Welcome to Israel, we are the owners of this house" while they remained restrained. Additional clips showed Shin Bet agents restraining an activist who approached Ben-Gvir.

Ben-Gvir's Inflammatory Remarks

The National Security Minister escalated his rhetoric in the videos, telling one activist "The people of Israel live" while "Hatikvah" played in the background. He added: "They came with great pride, look at them now. They are not heroes or anything of the sort, but supporters of terrorism. I appeal to Netanyahu to hand them over to me for a long time in the terrorists' prisons."

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition organized the humanitarian mission to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to Palestinian civilians. Israeli forces intercepted the vessels and detained activists from multiple European nations.

This diplomatic crisis adds another layer of tension between Israel and key European allies already strained over Middle East policy. The treatment of European citizens in Israeli custody threatens to further complicate relationships with nations that maintain significant economic and security ties with the Jewish state.

Watch for additional European governments to issue formal protests as the videos continue circulating, potentially escalating into broader diplomatic consequences for Israel's handling of international activists.