Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong Condemns Israeli Minister Over Abuse of Detained Activists
Australia's foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has strongly condemned the actions of a far-right Israeli minister who posted a video showing him abusing bound activists captured while attempting to sail an aid flotilla to Gaza. The footage, which has drawn international outrage, depicts Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, waving an Israeli flag and mocking the detainees, including shouting “the people of Israel live” in the face of one bound man.
Among the flotilla detainees were 11 Australian activists who were taken into custody by Israeli forces off the coast of Cyprus earlier this week. It remains unclear whether they were present in Ben-Gvir's video. In a statement released on Thursday morning, Wong said, “The images we have seen are shocking and unacceptable.” She added, “We condemn the actions of Israeli minister Ben-Gvir – who Australia has sanctioned – and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained.”
Wong has instructed Australia's ambassador to Israel to make representations to the Israeli government, reiterating calls for the release of the detained Australians and demanding that Israel ensure no ill treatment of any detainees and act in line with international obligations. This incident has further strained relations between Australia and Israel, with Australia already having imposed sanctions on Ben-Gvir.
Other Top News Stories
- Elon Musk's X fined $650,000 after failing to comply with an Australian child safety notice.
- Australia's unemployment rate jumps to 4.5%, signaling tentative signs that the labour market is buckling.
- Olympics minister Tim Mander referred to the Australian Federal Police over electoral enrolment allegations.
- Terror on the hairlines: A laser hair removal device sparked the evacuation of Victoria's Avalon airport.
- Man charged with stealing camera equipment from a Bondi shooting victim in the aftermath of a terror attack.
- Trump claims he will speak to Taiwan's president, departing from decades-long diplomatic norms.
In Pictures: Tesla Cybertruck Takes a Swim
Authorities in Texas had to remove a Tesla Cybertruck from a lake after the driver intentionally drove into it to test the vehicle's “wade mode.” The vehicle became disabled and took on water, prompting the driver and passengers to abandon it before calling for help. The driver was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of a park or lake, as well as several water safety equipment violations. Local police reminded drivers that although a vehicle may be physically capable of entering shallow freshwater areas, doing so can create legal and safety concerns under Texas law.
What They Said: New Zealander Detained by ICE
Everlee Wihongi, 37, a New Zealander who moved to the US at age six and holds a green card, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles on 10 April after a family trip to New Zealand. After an agonising seven-hour wait at the airport, Wihongi called her family saying there had been an issue with a historical conviction and she was being sent to an ICE processing facility in Adelanto, California. Her mother, Betty Wihongi, stated, “They’re not gangsters, they are not people causing trouble, they are just normal people who want a good life.” Wihongi had a conviction for possession of marijuana dating back more than a decade and had travelled in and out of the country several times without issue.
Podcast: Are Xi and Putin Still ‘Best Friends’?
Xi Jinping welcomed Vladimir Putin to Beijing with pomp and pageantry, just days after hosting Donald Trump. As Russia's war in Ukraine makes Moscow increasingly dependent on China, and western leaders thaw relations with Beijing, Lucy Hough and the Guardian's deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat, ask what the power imbalance means for Xi and Putin's relationship.
Before Bed Read: Small Space, Big Ideas
In 2010, Colin Chee picked up the keys to his tiny off-the-plan apartment in Melbourne's city centre. With no design experience and a limited budget, his quest to find inspiration eventually led to the birth of Never Too Small, a YouTube channel showcasing clever designs for small spaces from around the world. Launched in 2017, it now has more than 3 million subscribers. A housing crisis and a surge in apartment building means more Australians are searching for ways to make the most of small-scale abodes.
Daily Word Game
Today's starter word is: UGH. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
