The Jewish Council of Australia has strongly condemned the actions of far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following the release of video footage depicting the humiliation of detained humanitarians.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which included 11 Australian citizens, was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters for attempting to break the illegal blockade of Gaza.
Video published by Ben-Gvir showed international volunteers zip-tied, forced to kneel in stress positions and subjected to targeted taunts while the Israeli national anthem blared over loudspeakers.
Speaking in response to the footage overnight, Bart Shteinman, Executive Officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, said:
“The footage released by Minister Ben-Gvir is a stomach-turning display of cruelty that flies in the face of human dignity.
“Forcing humanitarian volunteers onto their knees while bound and subjected to psychological torment is completely indefensible.
“We stand in solidarity with these courageous activists, including Jewish Australian Anny Mokotow, who risked their safety to challenge the illegal maritime blockade and highlight the horrific deprivation in Gaza.”
The Jewish Council supports Australia’s decision to sanction Ben-Gvir and call in the Israeli ambassador in response but it must go further.
We call on Australia to issue country-level sanctions and expel Israel’s ambassador. These actions are more than a single rogue minister, they represent the extremism of this far-right Israeli Government and its lack of regard for basic human dignity.
Shteinman stated that the assault was yet another Israeli government betrayal of Jewish ethics.
“Using Jewish symbols and the Israeli national anthem to mock captive human rights defenders, including the Jews among them, speaks volumes about Israel’s betrayal of Jewish values.
“Ben-Gvir and the forces under his command do not represent Jewish Australians.
“The federal government must move beyond tough words. It must take urgent action to ensure the immediate release of all Australian citizens who have been unlawfully abducted in international waters, and finally end Israel’s impunity by applying broad-based sanctions on its government.
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