Foreign Minister Penny Wong has denounced the actions of Israel's far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he posted a video overnight showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground.
The video, shared on X by Ben-Gvir, has drawn international condemnation. It was published after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla's vessels at sea and began detaining hundreds of foreign activists at the southern port of Ashdod.
Eleven Australians were among those detained.
Wong said the images were "shocking and unacceptable".
"We condemn the actions of Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir — who Australia has sanctioned — and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained," she said in a statement.
"I have asked Australia's Ambassador to Israel to make representations to Israel, reiterating our call for the release of the detained Australians and for Israel to ensure no ill treatment of any detainees and to act in line with international obligations."
She said the Israeli ambassador had been called in to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to "reinforce this message".
Flotilla organisers had called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to join international condemnation of the footage, calling on the government to summon or send home Israel's ambassador to Australia.
"We are deeply concerned for all 318 participants, the 11 courageous Australian friends and their families," the Australian delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement.
Global backlash
Captioned "Welcome to Israel", the footage shows dozens of activists forced to kneel with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground. At some points, the Israeli national anthem can be heard playing in the background.
The footage also shows Ben-Gvir heckling and waving an Israeli flag among the detained activists.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denounced what he said were "despicable actions".
"Universal outrage & condemnation from every high-ranking Israeli official... for despicable actions by Ben-Gvir. Flotilla was stupid stunt, but Ben-Gvir betrayed dignity of his nation," Huckabee wrote on X.
European commissioner for equality Hadja Lahbib also criticised Ben-Gvir, saying on X that "no one should be punished for defending humanity".
France said it had summoned the Israeli ambassador over the "unacceptable actions" of Ben-Gvir, while Madrid condemned the "monstrous" treatment of activists and said Israel's charge d'affaires had also been summoned in protest.
Belgium summoned the Israeli ambassador over what it said was a "deeply disturbing" video.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said "the abominable treatment of civilians aboard the flotilla ... is unacceptable", adding that the foreign minister had directed officials to summon the Israeli ambassador.
Ireland's foreign minister Helen McEntee said she was "appalled and shocked" by the video and demanded the immediate release of the activists, among whom is the sister of President Catherine Connolly.
Türkiye's foreign ministry said Ben-Gvir had "once again openly demonstrated to the world the violent and barbaric mentality of the Netanyahu government".
Ben-Gvir was also criticised by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar.
'Disgraceful display'
Netanyahu said the minister's conduct with the activists was "not in line with Israel's values and norms".
"I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs (activists) as soon as possible," Netanyahu said in a statement.
Sa'ar said Ben-Gvir had "knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display — and not for the first time".
But Ben-Gvir hit back, saying: "I am proud to be the minister in charge of the organisations that operated today against those supporters of terror."
"Yes, there will be all sorts of pictures that Gideon Saar does not like, but I think they are a great source of pride," he added in parliament.
Around 50 vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Türkiye last week in the latest attempt by activists to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, after Israeli forces intercepted a previous convoy last month.
The Israeli authorities had said 430 activists aboard the flotilla were en route to Israel, while the Adalah rights group said some had already arrived at Ashdod port and were being held there.
Adalah also criticised Israeli authorities over the video.
"Israel is employing a criminal policy of abuse and humiliation against activists seeking to confront Israel's ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people," the group, whose lawyers went to the detention centre to meet the detainees, said in a statement.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
During the Gaza war, the territory suffered severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies, with Israel at times halting aid deliveries entirely.
A previous flotilla attempt was intercepted last month in international waters off Greece, with most activists expelled to Europe.
Two were brought to Israel, detained for several days and then deported.
— With additional reporting by Agence France-Presse.
For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.
