Foreign Minister Wong Orders Ambassador Called in over Israeli Minister’s ‘Shocking’ Video
Penny Wong condemned the video as 430 activists from 40 countries were detained after Israel intercepted the aid flotilla.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong ordered Israeli Ambassador Hillel Newman to be called into her department after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting detained flotilla activists.
- Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud aid flotilla earlier this week, detaining 430 activists from 40 countries, including 11 Australians, at Ashdod port while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
- The video, captioned "Welcome to Israel," showed Ben-Gvir taunting bound detainees, prompting Wong to condemn it as "shocking and unacceptable," while Israeli rights group Adalah stated activists were "taken into Israel against their will."
- Australia's Ambassador to Israel made representations calling for the release of those detained, while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar criticized Ben-Gvir for the "disgraceful display" that "caused harm to our state."
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the video as authorities were instructed to deport the detainees, while Israel maintains its naval blockade on the Gaza Strip under US-backed ceasefire conditions since October 2025.
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Australia calls Israeli ambassador over minister's 'shocking' actions | ABC News Top Stories - ABC listen
Israel's ambassador to Australia has been called in to meet Australian officials, after an Israeli minister taunted detained activists. National security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video online taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs, after an aid flotilla for Gaza was intercepted by Israeli forces. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has condemned the actions. 11 Australians are among the detainees, but it's unclear…
The heightened conflict within the Israeli government and outraged foreign reactions were sparked by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who on Wednesday released a video in which he humiliates Western activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian fleet detained on their way to the Gaza Strip. They are forced to kneel on the ground with their hands tied while the Israeli anthem plays over loudspeakers in the room.
Foreign Minister Wong orders ambassador called in over Israeli minister’s ‘shocking’ video
Foreign Minister Penny Wong ordered the Israeli ambassador, Hillel Newman, to be called into the department over a video posted by far right Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in which he insults and taunts detained members of the flotilla carrying aid for Palestinians. Wong said on social media: “The images we have seen overnight are shocking and unacceptable”. Footage shows Israeli minister Ben-Gvir taunting flotilla activist…
Australian Foreign Minister Summons Israeli Ambassador Over Video Mocking Flotilla Detainees
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to call in Israel’s ambassador to Australia, following international condemnation over a video mocking the capture of pro-Palestinian activists. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted to X a video of activists zip-tied and forced to kneel on the ground. Organisers say the flotilla of about 54 boats was carrying humanitarian aid…
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