Kneeling Controversy: Israeli Minister’s Video Sparks Outrage in Malta and Beyond

Imagine this: you’re on a boat, sailing towards Gaza to deliver aid, when suddenly, you’re detained. Now, picture this – you’re forced to kneel, hands bound, while a minister films you. This isn’t a scene from a movie, but a reality captured in a video posted by Israeli Minister of Public Security, Omer Bar-Lev.

Malta’s Connection: The Zaytouna-Oliva

Malta’s connection to this story is the Zaytouna-Oliva, a boat that set sail from Malta in 2018 as part of the Freedom Flotilla, aiming to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. Although the Zaytouna-Oliva didn’t feature in Bar-Lev’s video, the incident has sparked outrage among Maltese activists and politicians who supported the Freedom Flotilla.

Remember the protests in Valletta’s Republic Street? The ones where Maltese citizens stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people? The video has reignited those emotions, with many Maltese calling out the Israeli minister’s actions as dehumanizing and humiliating.

International Backlash

The video, shot on the Israeli navy ship that intercepted the flotilla, shows activists kneeling with their hands bound behind their backs. Bar-Lev captioned the video, “This is how we greet the ‘human rights activists’ who arrived at the shores of Israel with a ‘peaceful protest’.”

But the international response has been anything but supportive. Human rights groups have condemned the video, with Amnesty International stating that it “amounts to an attempt to humiliate and dehumanize the activists.” The United Nations also weighed in, with spokesperson Stephane Dujarric calling the video “disturbing.”

Malta’s Response

Locally, the Maltese government has expressed its concern. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Ian Borg, issued a statement condemning the video, stating that “the treatment of the activists is deplorable and unacceptable.”

Malta’s Opposition Leader, Bernard Grech, also weighed in, tweeting, “The actions of the Israeli Minister are unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with the activists and call for their immediate release.”

Even the Archbishop of Malta, Charles Scicluna, has spoken out, urging respect for human dignity and calling for the activists’ release.

What’s Next?

The activists, mostly from Europe, remain in detention. Israel has charged them with illegal entry into Israeli waters and supporting a banned organization. Their fate now lies in the hands of the Israeli legal system.

Back in Malta, activists are planning a protest outside the Israeli Embassy in Attard. They’re calling for the activists’ release and for an end to the blockade on Gaza.

“We won’t stay silent,” says Malta-based activist, Sarah Xuereb. “We’ll keep fighting until the blockade ends and these activists are free.”

So, what’s next? Well, it’s up to us. We can choose to look away, or we can choose to stand in solidarity, to protest, to push for change. Because, as the Archbishop reminded us, “Every human being deserves dignity and respect.”