Australia has summoned the Israeli ambassador following a video posted by Israel’s far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The footage showed detained flotilla workers with their hands tied and forced to kneel while the minister appeared to taunt them. The incident prompted strong condemnation from Australia, joining other countries that have expressed outrage.

In a statement on social media platform X, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the images posted by Ben-Gvir, who is under Australian sanctions, deeply distressing and unacceptable. She condemned both the minister’s actions and the degrading treatment of detainees by Israeli authorities. Wong reiterated Australia’s call for the release of 11 Australian citizens who were part of the flotilla and urged Israel to ensure humane treatment of all detainees in line with international obligations.

Wong confirmed that she instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to summon the Israeli ambassador to deliver Australia’s message firmly.