National security minister Ben Gvir's video sparked international condemnation as government officials, diplomats, and activists called for his resignation.
Thursday, 21 May 2026 | 9:30 AM MYT Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reacts as flotilla activists are detained by Israeli forces, in Ashdod Port, Israel, in this screen grab taken from a video released on May 20, 2026.
Office Of Itamar Ben Gvir/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY MANDATORY CREDIT VERIFICATION LINES: - Deck structure, bridge, stairs and container of the ship seen in video matched Reuters footage of an Israeli vessel arriving in Ashdod port on May 20 and reportedly carrying activists - Buildings and tent structures matched archive imagery of the Ashdod port and corroborating visuals - Identity of all the detained people could not be independently verified; however Reuters confirmed that some of them were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla by hair and facial features which matched visuals posted on social media by the activists - Exact date could not verified, but no older version of the video was found posted online before May 20 ASHDOD, ISRAEL : Israel's far-right national security minister posted a video on Wednesday showing detained activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground, sparking international condemnation.
The video, shared on X by firebrand minister Itamar Ben Gvir, was published after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla's vessels at sea and began detaining hundreds of foreign activists at the southern port of Ashdod. The video drew swift international uproar and Ben Gvir was criticised by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Captioned"Welcome to Israel", the footage shows dozens of activists forced to kneel with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground. At some points, the Israeli national anthem can be heard playing in the background. Ben Gvir drew the ire of Netanyahu, who said the minister's conduct with the activists was"not in line with Israel's values and norms", adding that authorities would deport the activists"as soon as possible".
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denounced what he said were the national security minister's"despicable actions".
"Universal outrage & condemnation from every high-ranking Israeli official... for despicable actions by Ben Gvir.... Ben Gvir betrayed dignity of his nation," Huckabee wrote on X. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib also criticised Ben Gvir, saying on X that"no one should be punished for defending humanity" while Belgium and France summoned the Israeli ambassadors in their capitals over what Paris called his"unacceptable actions".
Around 50 vessels under the GSF 2.0 set sail from Turkey last week in the latest attempt by activists to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, after Israeli forces intercepted a previous convoy last month. Israeli authorities had said 430 activists aboard the flotilla were en route to Israel, while the Adalah rights group said some had already arrived at Ashdod port and were being held there.
Israel's foreign minister Saar said Ben Gvir had"knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display -- and not for the first time". Ben Gvir hit back, saying:"I am proud to be the minister in charge of the organisations that operated today against those supporters of terror.
" "Yes, there will be all sorts of pictures that Gideon Saar does not like, but I think they are a great source of pride," he added at parliament. "Israel is employing a criminal policy of abuse and humiliation against activists seeking to confront Israel's ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people," the group, whose lawyers went to the detention centre to meet the detainees, said in a statement.
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Poland and Turkey also condemned the incident with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calling the treatment of civilians onboard the flotilla"abominable" and saying the Israeli ambassador would be summoned. Ireland's Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was"appalled and shocked" by the video and demanded the immediate release of the activists, who include the sister of President Catherine Connolly. Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
A previous flotilla attempt was intercepted last month in international waters off Greece, with most activists expelled to Europe. Follow us on our official
Ben Gvir Israeli National Security Minister Detention Of Activists Media Uproar International Condemnation Vessels Intercepted Government Officials' Response Activists En Route To Israel Adalah Rights Group Israeli Foreign Minister Proud To Be Minister Accusing Of 'Crimes Against The Palestinian Pe
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