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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

My Word: Flotillas and waves of condemnation - opinion

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • Spanish police used force against pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Bilbao airport, an incident contrasted with Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla.
  • Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's controversial video of detained flotilla participants drew criticism, including from Israeli officials, for providing PR material to activists.
  • The article argues that while the flotilla activists faced issues, their claims of abuse are compared unfavorably to the plight of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Images emerged of Spanish police using batons against pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Bilbao airport, an incident the author contrasts with the recent interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) by Israeli forces. The article notes the irony that Spain was among countries protesting Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's video, which showed him filming detained flotilla participants with an Israeli flag.

Welcome to Israel! We own this place.

— Itamar Ben-GvirSaid by the Israeli National Security Minister in a video filmed with detained flotilla participants, which drew widespread criticism.

Ben-Gvir's actions, condemned by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were seen as a public relations misstep. After the flotilla interception was handled professionally with minimal disruption, Ben-Gvir's video provided activists with the desired propaganda image. This incident, along with confrontations in Greece and Libya involving GSF participants, further tarnished Israel's international reputation, a world often quick to criticize the Jewish state.

Detainees from the flotilla reported alleged abuse, including claims of being kicked and sexually assaulted. However, the article dismisses these claims, particularly a comparison to a past controversy involving a New York Times columnist. It highlights the activism of individuals like Australian Neve O'Connor, who claimed to be "kidnapped," a term the author argues is deliberately distorted. In stark contrast, the article emphasizes that none of the Israeli hostages who endured captivity by Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attacks would consider risking such an experience again.

The police caught on camera were members of the force at Bilbao airport in Spain’s Basque region, not Israeli.

— Liat CollinsUsed to draw a contrast between police actions in Spain and Israel regarding flotilla demonstrators.

The Global Sumud Flotilla involved nearly 430 people from over 40 countries, many of whom are full-time activists. The article suggests Ben-Gvir deliberately provoked a reaction, potentially to bolster his political standing, by "rocking the boat" during the flotilla interception.

Unlike many of the flotilla participants, none of the Israeli hostages who managed to survive up to two years of Hamas captivity in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, invasion and mega-atrocity, would consider going back to risk the experience of being kidnapped again.

— Liat CollinsUsed to contrast the motivations and experiences of flotilla activists with those of Israeli hostages.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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