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

AL-MONITOR
May 21, 2026
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

May 21 (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)