World leaders summon Israeli envoys over Ben-Gvir Gaza flotilla video

Israel faced mounting diplomatic backlash after footage showed Gaza flotilla activists restrained and mocked by the far-right minister.

20.05.2026

By Sarah Khalil

Source:https://www.newarab.com/news/world-leaders-summon-israeli-envoys-over-ben-gvir-flotilla-video

Several countries have summoned Israeli ambassadors and condemned Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after footage emerged showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla being restrained and humiliated following their abduction by Israeli forces in international waters.

The diplomatic backlash erupted on Wednesday after Ben-Gvir published a video on X showing activists being dragged through Ashdod Port by masked Israeli officers, forced to kneel with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, and lined up inside a warehouse.

The footage, which Ben-Gvir captioned with the words: "That's how we welcome terror supporters. Welcome to Israel", triggered outrage across Europe and beyond, with governments accusing Israel of violating basic standards of human dignity.

Italy, France, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom all summoned Israeli envoys for explanations and demanded assurances over the treatment of their nationals who were among those detained.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the images as "inadmissible", while France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the treatment "unacceptable", despite reiterating Paris's opposition to the flotilla mission itself.

Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares condemned the "monstrous, undignified and humiliating treatment" of detainees.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa would urgently raise the issue with Israel, stressing that the treatment of civilians was a matter of "humane treatment".

Dutch and Belgian officials also condemned the footage, with Belgium describing the scenes as "deeply disturbing".

The video showed activists being forced to kneel on metal flooring in an unshaded area surrounded by barbed wire and shipping containers while Israel's national anthem played nearby.

At one point, a woman could be heard screaming as Ben-Gvir told the camera: "Don't be bothered by their screams."

Rights group Adalah said Israel was carrying out a "criminal policy of abuse and humiliation" against activists attempting to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.

In a statement shared with The New Arab, Adalah said its lawyers had entered the port facilities to provide legal assistance to detainees and were demanding their "immediate and unconditional release".

"Following the illegal interception of the flotilla in international waters and the illegal abduction of over 400 activists from around the world, 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 said.

The organisation added that it had documented "similar patterns of ill-treatment against activists in previous flotilla missions, for which Israel faced zero accountability”, and called on the international community to take urgent action to protect detainees from "brutal and illegal conduct by Israeli officials".

The group’s statement came after additional videos circulated online, including footage shared by Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev in which she referred to activists as "terror supporters" and "drugged with alcohol", as well as another clip showing detainees kneeling face-down with their hands cuffed behind their backs while the Israeli national anthem played in the background.

After the public backlash, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked Ben-Gvir, saying that although Israel had the right to stop flotillas heading towards Gaza, the minister's conduct was allegedly "not in line with Israel's values and norms".

Netanyahu, wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes in Gaza, said authorities had been instructed to deport the activists "as soon as possible".

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also distanced the government from the minister's actions, saying Ben-Gvir was "not the face of Israel" and accusing him of knowingly damaging the country's international standing.

Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, similarly criticised the video as "reckless grandstanding".

The flotilla activists included politicians and citizens from several countries, among them Italian lawmaker Dario Carotenuto and the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, Caitriona Graham.

Ireland and South Korea were among the countries that also protested the interception of the boats in international waters.

Israel's foreign ministry said more than 430 activists detained after the navy seized dozens of Gaza-bound vessels had been transferred to Israeli ships and would be allowed to meet consular representatives.