Australia’s Penny Wong has sharply criticized the release of a video by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. The clip shows Ben-Gvir taunting bound activists from the ‘Global Sumud’ aid flotilla and waving an Israeli flag. Wong stated the images were ‘shocking and unacceptable’.
Wong instructed Australia’s ambassador to Israel to intervene with the Israeli government and demand the release of detained Australians. ‘We condemn the actions of Minister Ben-Gvir, against whom Australia has imposed sanctions, as well as the degrading conduct of the Israeli authorities,’ Wong said in a statement. She called on Israel to uphold all international obligations.
The incident occurred during an attempt by an international flotilla to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The Israeli navy stopped the ship and detained the crew. Ben-Gvir’s video shows him shouting ‘The people of Israel live’ at the prisoners. The international community reacted with outrage.
Source: www.theguardian.com
