During a session to consider a bill to dissolve the government in Jerusalem, Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, faced sharp criticism. The session took place against the backdrop of Ben-Gvir releasing controversial videos taunting activists detained for attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked Ben-Gvir for his actions, stating that while Israel has the right to stop flotillas supporting Hamas terrorism, Ben-Gvir’s treatment of the activists does not align with Israel’s values. Netanyahu emphasized that the activists should be deported as quickly as possible.

In the videos, Ben-Gvir is seen walking among 430 detained activists, some of whom are kneeling with their hands tied. He mocked them, calling them heroes who now appear subdued. Ben-Gvir called on Netanyahu to keep the activists in prison for a long time.

The response from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was strong. He criticized Ben-Gvir, urging him not to view himself as the face of Israel due to the disgraceful display. Saar’s criticism sparked a rebuttal from Ben-Gvir, who accused Saar of bowing to terrorists and argued against making apologies to the activists.

No, you are not the face of Israel, Saar wrote on social media.

The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, known as Adalah, accused Israeli authorities of abusing and humiliating the activists. Suhad Bishara, a lawyer from Adalah, reported that two activists had been hospitalized due to being shot with rubber bullets without justification. A judge will determine the timing of the activists’ deportation.

Rania Batrice, a spokesperson for the flotilla, criticized Ben-Gvir’s actions, urging global governments to move beyond strongly worded statements to take more substantive actions.

International reactions included condemnation from British, Italian, Canadian, Turkish, and Greek officials. Each expressed their disapproval of how detained activists were treated, with Italy and Canada summoning Israeli ambassadors to express their objections.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas also spoke out against Israel, accusing Ben-Gvir’s actions of displaying moral decay.

On the ground, Israeli forces had intercepted the remaining boats in the flotilla destined for the Gaza strip. The flotilla, which left from Turkey, was intercepted approximately 268 kilometers from the Gaza coast. The organizers accused Israeli forces of opening fire, though the Israeli Foreign Ministry insisted only nonlethal means were used.

Since 2007, Israel has upheld a blockade on the Gaza Strip, further intensifying after 2023 events involving Hamas. Critics label this as collective punishment, but Israel argues it is vital for preventing Hamas from rearming. Egypt also restricts movement across its border with Gaza. The ongoing conflict and Israel’s responses have sparked significant casualties, adding to the humanitarian concerns voiced by various international bodies.