Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said he ordered the Israeli diplomat called in immediately to receive "expressions of outrage" and a demand for an apology over what he called "extremely inappropriate behavior" by a member of the Israeli government. Poland also demanded the immediate release of its detained citizens and their treatment in line with international standards.
"Polish citizens who have committed no crime must not be treated this way. In the democratic world, we do not abuse or mock people held in detention", Sikorski wrote on social media.
Ben Gvir posted footage showing activists kneeling with hands tied behind their backs and heads bowed, captioning it: "This is how we welcome terrorism supporters. Welcome to Israel. We are the masters". The video drew widespread condemnation across Europe.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said he was "appalled" by Israel's treatment of the detainees — among them the sister of Ireland's president. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a travel ban on Ben Gvir and said he would push for the measure to be adopted across the EU.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the minister's conduct "unacceptable" and a violation of human dignity. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the treatment was "degrading and wrong" and that Ben Gvir's behavior "does not befit anyone holding office in a democratic country".
Even U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, known for his pro-Israel views, said the minister's "despicable actions" had "betrayed the dignity of his nation".
The Gaza Freedom Flotilla — an international movement seeking to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis there — sent around 70 vessels carrying activists from 56 countries. Israeli forces boarded the boats in international waters, detaining more than 420 people.
(jh)
Source: Polish Radio
Click on the audio player above for a report by Agnieszka Łaszczuk.