World

EU's Costa 'appalled' by Israeli minister's treatment of flotilla members

By Reuters Reuters
European Council President Antonio Costa speaks at a joint press conference with Guatemala's President Bernardo Arevalo (not pictured) at the National Palace of Culture, in Guatemala City, Guatemala May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Mariano Macz
European Council President Antonio Costa speaks at a joint press conference with Guatemala's President Bernardo Arevalo (not pictured) at the National Palace of Culture, in Guatemala City, Guatemala May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Mariano Macz Mariano Macz Reuters

European Council President Antonio Costa on Thursday said he was "appalled" by the treatment of aid flotilla members attempting to enter Gaza by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir.

Video on Wednesday showed Israeli police forced activists who were aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to kneel on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their backs as Ben-Gvir looked on and commented about them.

"Appalled by the treatment of flotilla members by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir. This behaviour is completely unacceptable. We call for their immediate release," Costa said in a statement on social media website X.

(Reporting by Rhea Rose Abraham in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 9:43 PM.

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