Lithuania’s foreign ministry on Thursday said any behaviour that degrades human dignity is unacceptable and reprehensible after criticism of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over his treatment of detained flotilla activists.
"We have seen the video regarding the detention of the flotilla participants. Any behaviour that degrades human dignity is unacceptable and reprehensible. We note that as recently as yesterday, the Israeli prime minister and the foreign minister publicly and clearly distanced themselves from such behaviour," the ministry said.
Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels bound for the Gaza Strip at sea and detained hundreds of people. Some have already been brought to the port of Ashdod.
Ben Gvir shared a video of the detention operation on social media, which drew criticism over the treatment of the activists.
Estonian and Latvian foreign ministers also condemned the incident.
“The images shared by extremist Minister Ben-Gvir showing the humiliating treatment of detained Flotilla activists are shocking and unacceptable,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on X.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said the detained activists must be released.
“The humiliating and degrading treatment of detainees, as seen in the footage from Ashdod, is unacceptable and violates human rights and international law standards,” she posted on X.
Flotilla organisers said their goal was to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which humanitarian organisations say has contributed to severe food and medical shortages in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Ben Gvir this week, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the minister's conduct.
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