The Polish Foreign Ministry has summoned an Israeli diplomat regarding the circumstances of the detention and treatment of activists captured aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. Israeli treatment of the captured activists has raised concerns all over the world.
Polish Foreign Ministry demands respect for captured flotilla activists’ rights
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X that it summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires in Warsaw on May 21. The ministry summoned the diplomat over the circumstances of the detention and treatment of activists, which includes Polish citizens in Israeli detention.
Israeli forces captured the activists while they were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters. The flotilla was on a mission to challenge the Israeli blockade of aid to Gaza and supply the needed aid to people in the region.
However, video footage posted by Israeli minister Ben-Gvir shows him taunting, pointing, and shouting at the captured activists. The video footage also shows the activists kneeling on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs.
Ben-Gvir’s actions have sparked widespread condemnation all over the world. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the treatment of the activists unacceptable and abominable.
Similarly, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the acts. During the meeting with the Israeli diplomat, Polish authorities also demanded that the dignity of the activists be respected.
“During the meeting, he received an official note demanding that the rights and dignity of those detained be respected and that they be treated in accordance with international standards, that an investigation be carried out into the circumstances of the incident, that the perpetrators be condemned, and that the Israeli authorities issue an apology,” the Polish Foreign Affairs Ministry posted on X.
Moreover, Polish authorities also said that they will be filing a request to issue an entry ban for Ben-Gvir on the territory of Poland due to his actions.
Activists call for sanctions on Israel due to negative humanitarian record
Following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, activists have begun to demand sanctions on Israel and the Israeli government. Some activists are pushing for the expulsion of Israel from the UN due to humanitarian concerns.
Amnesty International also demanded that the EU-Israel trade agreement be suspended. The group said that Israel is committing heinous violations of international law against Palestinians.
“Under the EU-Israel trade agreement, Israel must uphold human rights obligations. The EU found Israel to be in breach of the human rights clause of the agreement in June 2025. There is a clear obligation to suspend the trade agreement,” the human-rights group said in a statement.
However, the United States has now imposed sanctions on the Global Sumud Flotilla organisers. The US accused flotilla organisers of trying to reach the Palestinian territory in support of Hamas.
The US Treasury may freeze assets owned by the activists, and Americans are now prohibited from doing business with them. Financial institutions may also stop providing services to the sanctioned flotilla organisers.