Islamabad, May 24: Pakistan and seven other Arab and Muslim countries have strongly condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over what they called the “appalling, degrading and unacceptable” treatment of activists detained from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
The joint statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye and Indonesia. The ministers said Ben-Gvir’s conduct toward detained humanitarian activists violated human dignity and breached Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.
The backlash followed footage promoted by Ben-Gvir in which detained flotilla participants were shown restrained on the ground while the far-right minister taunted them. The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which had attempted to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza before being intercepted by Israeli authorities.
In their joint statement, the eight countries said the treatment of the activists was not only humiliating but also part of a wider pattern of Israeli actions against humanitarian efforts linked to Gaza. They urged Israel to respect international law and ensure the safety, dignity and legal rights of all detainees.
The incident has already triggered a wider diplomatic storm. The European Commission called the treatment of the Gaza flotilla activists “completely unacceptable,” saying every detained person must be treated with dignity and in line with international law.
France has gone a step further, banning Ben-Gvir from entering the country after videos showed him mocking zip-tied detainees. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the conduct as “unspeakable” and urged the European Union to consider similar measures. Poland has also imposed a five-year entry ban on the Israeli minister.
Pakistan had earlier condemned Israel over the detention and alleged mistreatment of flotilla activists. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistani activist Saad Edhi, who was aboard the flotilla, had been released after being “illegally detained” by Israeli forces.
Israel’s prison service has denied allegations of assault, while the controversy has continued to grow because of the public nature of Ben-Gvir’s video and his history of hardline positions. Reuters reported that some detainees alleged physical mistreatment during detention, though Israeli authorities rejected those claims.
For Pakistan and the other seven countries, the issue is bigger than one video. Their statement frames the incident as an attack on humanitarian action at a time when Gaza’s civilian population remains under severe pressure. It also adds to Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation over its handling of the flotilla and the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The demand from the eight countries is clear: Israel must stop humiliating detained activists, uphold international law, and allow humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza without intimidation or obstruction.
