00:26Will Europe ban Ben-Gir?
00:28That is question is being asked after a new diplomatic storm is exploding around Israel after far-right national security
00:38minister Itamar Ben-Gir posted a controversial video mocking detained pro-Palestine activists from the so-called Global Sumud Flotilla.
00:48And now Europe is hitting back hard.
00:52The footage shows dozens of activists kneeling on a ship deck with their hands zip-tied behind their backs after
00:59Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla attempting to reach Gaza.
01:03Ben-Gir walks among them waving a large Israeli flag while Israel's national anthem plays in the background.
01:11Then came the line that ignited outrage across Europe.
01:14We are the landlords.
01:17We are the owners of this house.
01:19In another moment, an activist shouts Free Palestine before being pushed down by security personnel.
01:26Ben-Gir mocks the detainees saying they arrived full of pride like big heroes and tells Prime Minister Netanyahu to
01:33keep them locked up for a long time.
01:35Within hours, the video exploded online.
01:39Critics called it degrading, humiliating and dangerous optics for Israel at a time of growing global scrutiny over Gaza.
01:47Italy reacted strongly because several Italian citizens were reportedly among those detained.
01:52Prime Minister Georgia Maloney's government formally asked the European Union to discuss sanctions against Ben-Gir.
02:00Italy also summoned the Israeli ambassador, calling the treatment of activists unacceptable and a violation of basic human rights.
02:07And the backlash did not stop there.
02:10France, the UK, Canada, Australia, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands all condemned the video and demanded explanations from Israel.
02:19The controversy has now become a major diplomatic headache for the Netanyahu government.
02:24Even inside Israel, there is visible anger.
02:27Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rebuked Ben-Gir, saying Israel had every right to stop what he called provocative flotillas,
02:36but added that the minister's conduct did not reflect Israel's values and norms.
02:40Foreign Minister Gideon Saar went even further.
02:43He accused Ben-Gir of damaging Israel's international standing and undermining the work of diplomats and soldiers.
02:50But Ben-Gir is refusing to back down.
02:53For his supporters, this was a display of strength against activists they see as deliberately provoking Israel
02:59and indirectly supporting Hamas-linked narratives after the October 7 attacks.
03:03For critics, however, the images of restrained activists being mocked by a senior Israeli minister have become symbolic of something
03:11much bigger.
03:11A clash between security and human rights.
03:15Power and perception.
03:17And increasingly, Europe versus Ben-Gir.
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03:43Bye.
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