Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare public rebuke of his national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, following the release of videos depicting Ben-Gvir’s treatment of activists detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla. The footage, which Ben-Gvir himself posted, showed the far-right minister mocking pro-Palestinian activists as they were held by Israeli security forces.
The videos, taken at Israel’s Ashdod port and aboard the intercepted ships, show approximately 430 activists with their hands tied, forced to kneel with their heads touching the floor. In one clip, Ben-Gvir is seen walking among the detainees while waving a large Israeli flag and sarcastically telling them, “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords.” When a handcuffed activist shouted “Free Palestine,” security personnel immediately pushed the person to the ground.
Ben-Gvir further appeared to deride the activists’ pride, stating, “They came here all full of pride like big heroes. Look at them now,” and appealed to Netanyahu for permission to imprison them for an extended period.
Netanyahu acknowledged Israel’s right to halt flotillas that support Hamas but criticized Ben-Gvir’s approach, saying, “The way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also condemned Ben-Gvir’s conduct, describing it as damaging to the state and saying, “No you are not the face of Israel.” Ben-Gvir responded defiantly, asserting that Israel would not tolerate support for terrorism on its territory.
The incident drew international criticism as well. Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador after Prime Minister Georgia Meloni called Ben-Gvir’s behavior “unacceptable” and demanded an apology. France’s foreign minister also summoned Israel’s ambassador, reiterating that the activists must be treated with respect and released promptly.
The U.S. ambassador to Israel described the flotilla as a “stupid stunt” but said Ben-Gvir’s actions betrayed the dignity of the nation. Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. condemned Ben-Gvir’s “reckless grandstanding,” noting such actions undermine diplomatic efforts.
The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (Adalah) accused Israeli authorities of continuing a “criminal policy of abuse and humiliation” against flotilla activists and called for urgent international protection for the detainees.
The flotilla, originating from Turkey, sought to challenge Israel’s decadeslong blockade of Gaza, a measure intended to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas. Israeli forces intercepted the vessels approximately 167 miles from Gaza, using what the foreign ministry described as “nonlethal means.” Israeli officials denied firing live ammunition, contrary to flotilla claims.
Why it matters
The incident highlights internal disagreements within the Israeli government over treatment of Palestinian activists and the balance between security and adherence to human rights norms. The public rebuke of a prominent far-right minister indicates concern about the diplomatic fallout from Ben-Gvir’s actions, which have drawn condemnation from both Israeli officials and international partners. The flotilla episode also underscores ongoing tensions over Gaza’s blockade and international efforts to challenge it.
Background
The Gaza blockade has been enforced by Israel for over a decade, citing security concerns related to Hamas, which controls Gaza. Periodic flotillas organized by pro-Palestinian activists aim to deliver humanitarian aid and draw global attention to the conditions in Gaza. Israel regards these flotillas as provocations often linked to terrorist groups and intercepts them before they reach Gaza’s shores. The treatment of detained activists has been a recurring source of criticism from human rights groups and foreign governments.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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