Italy and France have denounced as unacceptable the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces near Cyprus.
Both countries summoned Israel's ambassadors after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists detained at the port of Ashdod.
His actions prompted rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they were not in line with Israel's values.
A rights group representing the 430 participants from more than 40 countries who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has demanded their immediate release.
The flotilla, which carried a token amount of aid, set out to highlight the tough conditions for Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. Israel dismissed it as a PR stunt at the service of Hamas.
More than 50 boats taking part in the flotilla set sail from Turkey last Thursday. On Monday morning, armed Israeli naval commandos began intercepting the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles (460km) from the coast of Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade.
The GSF's organisers said all the boats had been intercepted by Tuesday evening, with one managing to get within 80 nautical miles of the Palestinian territory. They accused Israel of an illegal, high-seas aggression and said Israeli commandos had opened fire at six boats, used water cannon, and intentionally rammed one vessel.
The Israeli foreign ministry said no live ammunition was used and insisted it would not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza. The ministry also stated that all the activists had been transferred to Israeli vessels and that they would be allowed to meet their consular representatives after arriving in Israel.
On Wednesday morning, Israeli rights group Adalah said the activists were being taken into Israeli territory entirely against their will and detained at Ashdod port. The legal team will challenge the legality of these detentions and demand the immediate release of all flotilla participants, it added.
In an unusual step, Israel's foreign minister joined the condemnation of his cabinet colleague. Addressing him on X, Gideon Saar wrote: You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display - and not for the first time. Ben-Gvir hit back swiftly, saying: The foreign minister is expected to understand that Israel has stopped being a pushover.
Prime Minister Netanyahu then issued his own rebuke, stating that while Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering territorial waters, the manner in which these activists were treated does not align with Israel's values. He added that he had instructed Israeli authorities to deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.
The GSF claims the activists were carrying food, baby formula, and medical aid for Palestinians in Gaza, where living conditions are dire, despite a ceasefire agreement made between Israel and Hamas last October.
The Israeli foreign ministry described Gaza as flooded with aid, noting more than 1.5 million tonnes of aid and thousands of tonnes of medical supplies had entered the territory over the past seven months. However, the UN reported many displaced families in Gaza remain in overcrowded tents or severely damaged structures, as humanitarian operations are hindered by restrictions and shortages of essential supplies.
