Australia's Foreign Minister Responds to Israeli Minister's Controversial Video
Foreign Minister Wong orders ambassador called in over Israeli minister’s ‘shocking’ video

Image: The Conversation
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong summoned Israeli Ambassador Hillel Newman following a controversial video by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who taunted detained flotilla activists. Wong condemned the minister's actions, emphasizing the need for humane treatment of detainees, including 11 Australians among them.
- 01Penny Wong ordered the Israeli ambassador's summons due to the video by Itamar Ben-Gvir.
- 02The video depicts Ben-Gvir mocking detained flotilla activists, calling them 'terror supporters'.
- 03Wong stated that the actions of Israeli authorities are 'shocking and unacceptable'.
- 04Australia's Ambassador to Israel called for the release of detained individuals and adherence to international obligations.
- 05Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben-Gvir's behavior, stating it does not align with Israel's values.
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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has taken a firm stance against Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following the release of a video that shows the minister mocking detained activists from a flotilla aimed at delivering aid to Palestinians. Wong described the video as 'shocking and unacceptable', prompting her to summon Israeli Ambassador Hillel Newman to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In the footage, Ben-Gvir is seen taunting the activists, who are detained and kneeling on the ground, declaring, 'Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords.' He dismissed the activists as 'terror supporters' and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep them in prison longer. Wong emphasized that Australia condemns Ben-Gvir's actions and called for humane treatment of detainees, including 11 Australians among those detained. Australia's Ambassador to Israel has already made representations to the Israeli government, demanding the release of the detainees and adherence to international obligations regarding their treatment. In response, Netanyahu acknowledged the need to prevent provocateurs from entering Israeli waters but stated that Ben-Gvir's conduct was inconsistent with Israel's values.
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The incident may affect diplomatic relations between Australia and Israel, particularly concerning the treatment of Australian citizens abroad.
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