Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has drawn criticism after publishing footage showing detained Gaza flotilla activists kneeling at Ashdod port with their hands bound, as he mocked them during a visit to the site.
The video shows dozens of international activists on the ground after their vessels were intercepted at sea and brought to Israel. One activist is heard shouting “Free Palestine” before officers drag him away from the minister. Ben-Gvir is then seen holding an Israeli flag and saying in Hebrew: “Welcome to Israel. We are the owners here.”
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026
Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC
In the same footage, Ben-Gvir calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow the detainees to be held “for a long time” and placed in “terrorist prisons”. Other clips show activists on the deck of a vessel as Israel’s national anthem is heard, while the minister is also seen arguing with a man and commenting approvingly as another detainee appears bound.
The activists are being held at Ashdod following Israel’s announcement that the latest flotilla mission, which aimed to break the naval blockade of Gaza, had “come to an end”. More than 400 activists from 45 countries were reportedly on board the vessels. Israel has described the flotilla as a propaganda operation in support of Hamas.
Israeli foreign minister criticises Ben-Gvir
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar sharply criticised Ben-Gvir over the footage, accusing him of damaging the country’s image.
גרמת ביודעין נזק למדינה במופע המחפיר הזה ולא בפעם הראשונה.
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) May 20, 2026
הורדת לטמיון מאמצים אדירים מקצועיים ומוצלחים שנעשו על ידי רבים רבים - מחיילי צה״ל ועד עובדי משרד החוץ ועוד רבים וטובים.
לא, אתה לא הפנים של ישראל. https://t.co/KOj6fhpyM7
“You deliberately caused damage to the state in this disgraceful performance, and not for the first time.” Saar said, adding that Ben-Gvir “is not the face of Israel”. He said the footage undermined extensive efforts by Israeli soldiers, Foreign Ministry officials and others involved in handling the case.
The Italian government also condemned the treatment of the activists and said it would summon Israel’s ambassador for explanations. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy was demanding an apology for the treatment of the detainees and what they described as a complete lack of respect for the Italian government’s requests.
Source: Protothema.gr
