A video shared by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla kneeling with their hands bound has provoked broad international condemnation. The footage, posted on Ben Gvir’s X account, shows the activists on the deck of a military vessel with their foreheads to the ground while the Israeli national anthem plays, and later depicts them in detention in Israel as Ben Gvir waves an Israeli flag.
The activists were intercepted by Israeli naval forces en route to Gaza and moved to Israeli ships before being taken ashore at the port of Ashdod. Israel-based rights group Adalah said the detainees were brought to Ashdod against their will and that its lawyers were entering to offer legal consultations. Flotilla organizers said the activists will be sent to Ketziot prison in the Negev and that Adalah attorneys will only be able to meet them once they arrive there.
The video prompted immediate diplomatic responses. Italy said the treatment shown was unacceptable and announced it would summon the Israeli ambassador, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni saying the treatment violated human dignity and affected Italian citizens among the protesters. Germany’s ambassador to Israel called the footage wholly unacceptable and incompatible with shared core values. France summoned Israel’s ambassador to explain the minister’s conduct, and the Netherlands also announced plans to summon the ambassador over the “unacceptable” treatment.
Britain’s foreign minister described the footage as deeply troubling and demanded an explanation from Israeli authorities, emphasizing their duty to protect the rights of citizens and others involved. Canada likewise said it would summon Israel’s envoy and called the video unacceptable. Turkey’s foreign ministry criticized Ben Gvir, accusing the Israeli government of displaying a violent mentality. The U.S. envoy to Israel condemned the minister’s actions as betraying national dignity. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib condemned the treatment, arguing that people advocating for humanitarian aid should not be punished. The Palestinian group Hamas also denounced the footage.
Ben Gvir’s posting has even drawn criticism from within Israel’s government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has the right to stop flotillas he described as supportive of Hamas, but added that Ben Gvir’s handling of the detainees did not reflect Israel’s values and norms; he instructed authorities to deport the activists as soon as possible. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly distanced himself from Ben Gvir, calling the display harmful to the state’s reputation.
Israeli authorities reported that all 430 activists from the flotilla were transferred to Israeli vessels and will be allowed consular access upon arrival on land. Activists intercepted on previous flotillas were ultimately deported after detention. The incident has raised questions about conduct during maritime interceptions, detainee treatment, and the diplomatic consequences of publicizing footage of captives.