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US condemns Israel’s Ben-Gvir while sanctioning Gaza flotilla organisers
TL;DR
The US has condemned Israel's far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following his taunting of abducted activists, while simultaneously sanctioning the organizers of a Gaza flotilla. This incident highlights perceived US double standards in its approach to Israel and Palestinian issues.
Key points
- US condemns Israel's Itamar Ben-Gvir for taunting activists
- US sanctions Gaza flotilla organizers
- Countries summoning Israeli ambassadors include Italy and France
- Incident highlights perceived US double standards
- Analysts note US and Israel out of step with international community
Mentioned in this story
Itamar Ben-GvirMike HuckabeeUS Department of the TreasuryDAWN advocacy groupGazaIsraelItalyFranceNetherlandsCanada
Washington, DC – US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has become the first official from the administration of President Donald Trump to join global criticism of Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
But as several countries summoned Israel’s ambassadors after Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself taunting abducted foreign activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Huckabee’s response rang largely hollow, coming a day after the US Department of the Treasury had sanctioned the flotilla organisers.
It was the latest incident underscoring a US double standard towards Israel, Palestinians and their supporters, analysts said, and one that showed the US and Israel increasingly out of step with the international community.
“We see a big difference between the US and other Western countries… who see things like freedom of navigation in international waters as a fundamental concept of international law that should be respected, not to mention the mistreatment of civilians,” said Michael Omer-Man, the Israel-Palestine director at the DAWN advocacy group.
Huckabee made his comments on Wednesday, shortly after Italy, France, the Netherlands and Canada summoned Israeli ambassadors over Ben-Gvir’s video, which showed detained activists kneeling on the floor with their hands bound, and at times being shoved to the ground.
Ben-Gvir is seen waving an Israeli flag, shouting and pointing over the detainees.
In a post on X, Huckabee referenced a slew of Israeli officials who have criticised Ben-Gvir for the video, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar.
Huckabee pointed to “universal outrage from every high-ranking Israeli official”, tagging Netanyahu, Saar, the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter.
“Flotilla was stupid stunt, but Ben Gvir betrayed dignity of his nation,” Huckabee wrote.
Rights observers have long documented Israeli abuses against Palestinian detainees and their supporters from abroad, including detained activists flotilla activists. Israeli authorities have largely dismissed such accounts.
Critics questioned whether the groundswell of condemnation from officials in Netanyahu’s government, which has emboldened far-right figures like Ben-Gvir, was motivated by the abuses committed or by Ben-Gvir’s decision to post it online.
“I do believe that they’re more focused on the public relations side of it,” Omer-Man told Al Jazeera, “both with regards to the international community… and because it’s election season [in Israel] and they’re trying to distinguish themselves as the more stately, less radical actors”.
Q&A
What did Itamar Ben-Gvir do that prompted US condemnation?
Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting abducted foreign activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which drew global criticism.
What sanctions did the US impose related to the Gaza flotilla?
The US Department of the Treasury sanctioned the organizers of the Gaza flotilla shortly before the US Ambassador's condemnation of Ben-Gvir.
Which countries summoned Israeli ambassadors over Ben-Gvir's actions?
Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Canada summoned Israeli ambassadors in response to Ben-Gvir's video.
How does this incident reflect US-Israel relations?
Analysts suggest this incident underscores a growing disconnect between US policies and the international community's views on Israel and Palestinian rights.
