Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sparked international outrage on Wednesday after posting a video showing detained activists from the “Steadfastness Flotilla” with their hands bound and kneeling. The footage, shared on X with the caption “Welcome to Israel,” shows dozens of activists on the deck of an Israeli military vessel and later inside a detention center, where Ben-Gvir appears in front of one detainee, waving an Israeli flag and chanting “Long live Israel.”
The video also captures Ben-Gvir violently pushing an activist to the ground when she shouted “Free, free Palestine” as he passed by. Other activists were subjected to abuse while the Israeli national anthem played in the background.
WATCH | Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir shamelessly threw a humiliating “welcome party” for detained Global Sumud Flotilla activists, who were abused, held in a grueling stress position, and forced to listen to Israel's national anthem. pic.twitter.com/zL4epSX9J8
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International condemnation mounts
The video drew swift condemnation from the United States, Italy, France, Turkey, Australia, Poland, and New Zealand, among others.
US Ambassador to ‘Israel’ Mike Huckabee condemned Ben-Gvir’s “shameful” actions, adding: “The flotilla was a foolish stunt, but Ben-Gvir betrayed the dignity of his nation.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Israel’s treatment of the activists was “unacceptable,” particularly as it involved Italian citizens. “It is unacceptable that these protesters, including many Italian citizens, were subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity,” she stated.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry criticized the “barbaric mentality” of the Israeli government, saying Ben-Gvir “once again publicly demonstrated to the world the violent and aggressive mentality of Netanyahu’s government.”
France announced it had summoned the Israeli ambassador over the “unacceptable” actions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot wrote on X: “I have requested the summoning of the Israeli ambassador in France to express our condemnation and obtain clarifications.”
New Zealand also said it would summon the Israeli ambassador to express “grave concerns” over the treatment of detained activists.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated: “You have no right to treat Polish citizens who have committed no crime in this way. In the democratic world, we do not mistreat detainees or rejoice in their suffering,” demanding that Ben-Gvir be held accountable.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the treatment as “degrading” and called the images “shocking and unacceptable.”
European Council President Antonio Costa said on Thursday that he was “shocked” by the treatment of the flotilla members. “This behavior is completely unacceptable. We call for their immediate release.”
Hamas and human rights groups respond
Hamas condemned “the state of moral depravity and sadism that governs the mentality of the leaders of the criminal enemy entity,” describing the “persecution” of activists as “a desperate attempt to break the activists’ will and deter them from their humanitarian and noble role in breaking the Zionist siege” on Gaza.
The Adalah Center for Human Rights, which represents the activists, criticized Israeli authorities, stating that “Israel is implementing a criminal policy of persecution and humiliation against activists who seek to confront Israel’s ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people.” The center added that activists “sailed towards Gaza to provide humanitarian aid and challenge the illegal siege, and were forcibly abducted from international waters.” It affirmed that the detention “constitutes a grave violation of international law.”
Netanyahu and Sa’ar break ranks
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben-Gvir while simultaneously emphasizing the need to expedite the activists’ deportation. “The way Minister Ben-Gvir treated the flotilla activists is inconsistent with Israel’s values and standards,” Netanyahu said. “I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the inciters (activists) as quickly as possible.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called Ben-Gvir’s actions a “shameful display,” writing on X: “You deliberately harmed the State of Israel with this shameful display, and not for the first time. You ruined the considerable, professional, and successful efforts of many, from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry employees and others. No, you are not the face of Israel.”
Ben-Gvir refuses to back down
Despite the criticism, Ben-Gvir — known for his hardline positions — did not relent. Speaking from the Knesset, he said: “I am proud to be the minister responsible for the agencies that acted today against those who supported terrorism.” He added: “Yes, there will be different images that Gideon Sa’ar will not like, but I think they represent a great source of pride.”
Background: The Steadfastness Flotilla
Last week, about 50 ships set sail from Turkey in the third such initiative this year aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has been suffering from severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza.
Israel began intercepting the flotilla on Monday off the coast of Cyprus. On Monday morning, the flotilla announced that Israeli forces had boarded its boats, later confirming that “the Israeli occupation forces have once again illegally and violently intercepted our international humanitarian flotilla and abducted our volunteers,” demanding “the immediate release of the activists and an end to the blockade of Gaza.”
Source: Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)