Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, faced widespread criticism on Wednesday after sharing videos of detained activists from a flotilla challenging the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. The footage captures Ben-Gvir amidst approximately 430 detainees, featuring activists restrained with hands bound and kneeling with heads down at Ashdod port and aboard a ship.
In the videos, Ben-Gvir is seen waving a large Israeli flag and addressing the detainees with the remark, “Welcome to Israel. We are the landlords.” The imagery also includes a handcuffed activist shouting “Free Palestine,” only to be swiftly subdued by security personnel as Ben-Gvir passes by.
In another segment, Ben-Gvir mocks the activists, claiming they approached the blockade as if they were “big heroes,” and urges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to authorize their imprisonment. His actions prompted diplomatic responses from several countries including Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, who called upon Israel’s ambassadors for explanations regarding their citizens’ treatment.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s organizers noted that among the detained activists was the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly. Participants hailed from over 40 countries, intercepted in international waters while aboard the flotilla earlier in the week.
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee expressed her dismay at the videos, urging the “immediate release” of those held. Similarly, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the handling of the activists as a “violation of their human dignity,” while South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung condemned Israel’s response as “way out of line.”
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper remarked on X that Ben-Gvir’s conduct violated “the most basic standards of respect,” and reassured efforts to aid the British detainees. Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the incident “unacceptable and entirely condemnable,” with Turkey denouncing Israel’s actions as reflective of a “violent and barbaric mindset.”
In response, Netanyahu, whose administration leans on support from Ben-Gvir’s far-right Jewish Power party, sought to distance himself by asserting Israel’s right to halt “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters.” He indicated Ben-Gvir’s actions were contrary to “Israel’s values and norms.” Netanyahu has ordered the deportation of the activists “as soon as possible,” seemingly dismissing Ben-Gvir’s suggestion of detainment in Israel.