Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ignited global outcry this week after posting a video on social media showing him taunting activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission intercepted by Israeli forces. The footage, shared on May 21, 2026, depicted Ben-Gvir—described by critics as a far-right hardliner who oversees Israel's police force—visiting a detention facility at Ashdod port where 430 activists from 40 countries were held. In the video, he waved an Israeli flag beside kneeling activists with hands bound behind their backs, declaring 'Welcome to Israel. We are the landlords.' He then encouraged security personnel to push down a female activist shouting 'Free, Free, Palestine' while the Israeli national anthem played.
International reactions were swift and severe. The US, UK, France, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands condemned Ben-Gvir's actions as 'degrading,' 'unacceptable,' and 'disgraceful.' US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called them 'despicable,' while UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper demanded an 'urgent explanation' and summoned the Israeli embassy. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong labeled the treatment 'degrading,' and Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee stated Irish citizens were 'not being treated with appropriate dignity.'
The Global Sumud Flotilla organizers described the intercepted mission as carrying food, baby formula, and medical aid for Palestinians amid Gaza's dire humanitarian crisis. However, Israeli authorities dismissed the effort as a 'PR stunt at the service of Hamas' and claimed no live ammunition was used during the operation. Rights group Adalah documented 'severe, widespread injuries' among detainees, including suspected broken ribs, respiratory distress, and injuries from Tasers and rubber bullets. The organization noted reports of 'sexual harassment and humiliation,' adding that three participants were hospitalized with injuries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare rebuke of his cabinet colleague, stating Ben-Gvir's conduct 'is not in line with Israel's values and norms' despite government claims that the flotilla violated Gaza's maritime blockade. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly criticized Ben-Gvir on social media, calling him 'expected to understand that Israel has stopped being a pushover,' while Netanyahu instructed authorities to 'deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.'
The incident has reignited tensions over Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, where the UN reports persistent humanitarian challenges including limited clean water access, pest infestations, and shortages of essential supplies. The blockade remains a contentious issue as over 72,770 Palestinians have been killed since the October 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war, per Hamas-run health authorities. This latest controversy underscores deepening international divisions over Israel's treatment of activists while questioning the legality of the blockade amid widespread civilian suffering.
*Additional reporting by Raffi Berg*}
International reactions were swift and severe. The US, UK, France, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands condemned Ben-Gvir's actions as 'degrading,' 'unacceptable,' and 'disgraceful.' US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called them 'despicable,' while UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper demanded an 'urgent explanation' and summoned the Israeli embassy. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong labeled the treatment 'degrading,' and Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee stated Irish citizens were 'not being treated with appropriate dignity.'
The Global Sumud Flotilla organizers described the intercepted mission as carrying food, baby formula, and medical aid for Palestinians amid Gaza's dire humanitarian crisis. However, Israeli authorities dismissed the effort as a 'PR stunt at the service of Hamas' and claimed no live ammunition was used during the operation. Rights group Adalah documented 'severe, widespread injuries' among detainees, including suspected broken ribs, respiratory distress, and injuries from Tasers and rubber bullets. The organization noted reports of 'sexual harassment and humiliation,' adding that three participants were hospitalized with injuries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare rebuke of his cabinet colleague, stating Ben-Gvir's conduct 'is not in line with Israel's values and norms' despite government claims that the flotilla violated Gaza's maritime blockade. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly criticized Ben-Gvir on social media, calling him 'expected to understand that Israel has stopped being a pushover,' while Netanyahu instructed authorities to 'deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.'
The incident has reignited tensions over Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, where the UN reports persistent humanitarian challenges including limited clean water access, pest infestations, and shortages of essential supplies. The blockade remains a contentious issue as over 72,770 Palestinians have been killed since the October 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war, per Hamas-run health authorities. This latest controversy underscores deepening international divisions over Israel's treatment of activists while questioning the legality of the blockade amid widespread civilian suffering.
*Additional reporting by Raffi Berg*}
