Itamaraty summons Israeli diplomat after video with activists tied up

Itamaraty summoned the head of the Israeli embassy in Brazil, Rasha Athamni, to request clarification on a video released by the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, in which activists from a humanitarian flotilla that had Gaza as its destination appear kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.

The members of the vessel, which, according to the Global Sumud organization, numbered around 430 people, were organized in rows while the minister observed and filmed them. The images were published on Ben-Gvir's Telegram.

In a statement, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attitude of the Israeli authorities, classifying it as "degrading and humiliating".

Itamaraty also stated that the interception of vessels belonging to the flotilla in international waters is illegal, and requested the immediate release of the activists, including four Brazilian citizens who are among those detained.

Other countries, such as Spain, Italy, France and the UN (United Nations), also criticized the images published by the Israeli minister.

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned Ben-Gvir's attitude, stating that it "is not in line with the values and norms" of the country.

However, the statement from Netanyahu's office stresses that Israel has the right to prevent "provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering its territorial waters and reaching Gaza."

See the note from Itamaraty
The Brazilian government deplores the degrading and humiliating treatment meted out by Israeli authorities, in particular by the Minister of Internal Security of Israel, Itamar Ben Gvir, to the participants of the Sumud Global Flotilla.

By reiterating its repudiation of the interception, in international waters, of the vessels belonging to the flotilla and the detention of its participants - both illegal actions -, Brazil demands the immediate release of all detained activists, including four Brazilian citizens, as well as full respect for their rights and dignity, in line with the international commitments assumed by the State of Israel, such as the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Source: CNN