Israeli Minister Criticized Over Treatment of Flotilla Activists

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly criticized his national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, after videos showed Ben-Gvir’s conduct toward pro-Palestinian flotilla activists. The videos, shared by Ben-Gvir himself, captured him mocking these activists who were detained by Israeli security forces.

Ben-Gvir, filmed among approximately 430 detained Sumud Global Flotilla activists, waved a large Israeli flag and told them, “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords.” In one video, he walks by a handcuffed activist yelling “Free Palestine,” who was then pushed to the ground by security forces. Other activists were shown kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs at a makeshift detention area in Ashdod port and on a ship’s deck.

In another clip, Ben-Gvir criticized the activists, urging Netanyahu to allow him to imprison them for a “long, long time.” Meanwhile, a boat displaying symbols of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, intercepted by the Israeli navy, moved toward Ashdod port on May 19, 2026.

Netanyahu supported the intervention to stop the flotilla but criticized Ben-Gvir’s behavior, stating, “Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas by Hamas terrorist supporters, yet the treatment by Minister Ben-Gvir does not align with Israel’s values and norms.”

International reactions followed. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rebuked Ben-Gvir on social media, asserting, “You deliberately caused damage… No you are not the face of Israel.” Ben-Gvir retorted, stating that Israel has “stopped being a pushover.” Israel’s U.S. ambassador criticized Ben-Gvir’s actions for harming diplomatic relations.

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni expressed dissatisfaction over the video, summoning the Israeli ambassador and demanding an apology. Similarly, France’s foreign minister regarded the actions as unacceptable and called for the release of detained protesters.

The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel condemned the treatment as “a criminal policy of abuse and humiliation,” citing past incidents of similar conduct. They are offering legal aid to the activists and urging international intervention.

Meanwhile, flotilla organizers accused Israeli forces of firing on vessels during the interdictions. Israel’s foreign ministry denied using live ammunition, indicating nonlethal measures were employed.

Denouncing the flotilla as mere propaganda for Hamas, Israel stated that the aid carried was minimal and the flotilla lacked real intent to help Gaza. The flotilla, originating from Turkey, was intercepted 167 miles from the Gaza coast.