Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked international condemnation after releasing videos on social media showing detained activists from the *Global Sumud Flotilla*, which attempted to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The footage depicted activists—including Greek citizens—with their hands bound, forced to kneel on the deck of a boat, and subjected to taunting by Ben-Gvir, who was seen mocking them while the Israeli national anthem played in the background. One clip showed an activist being pulled to the ground by her hair, which was described as "monstrous, undignified, and inhumane" by critics .
The flotilla, which set sail from Turkey, was intercepted by Israeli forces, leading to the detention of activists at Ashdod port. The videos released by Ben-Gvir drew sharp rebukes from multiple governments, including Finland, Greece, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Canada, and Ireland. Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled Ben-Gvir’s actions "unacceptable and absolutely reprehensible," while European leaders summoned Israeli ambassadors to express their disapproval . The U.S. also condemned Ben-Gvir’s behavior, with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee calling it a "betrayal of dignity," though the U.S. simultaneously sanctioned organizers of the flotilla .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare public rebuke of Ben-Gvir, distancing the government from the minister’s actions amid the global backlash. Netanyahu’s statement followed widespread criticism of the treatment of the activists, which was described as a diplomatic crisis for Israel . The incident has reignited debates over Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the treatment of those attempting to deliver aid to the territory.
> Background: **Israel intercepts Gaza-bound flotilla, detains 430 activists amid diplomatic outcry.** — *13 hours ago*
Finland wants answers from Israel over treatment of detained flotilla activists Finland has criticised video footage that appears to show detained activists kneeling on a boat deck with their hands bound behind their backs.
yle.fi · about 3 hours ago
Israels treatment of captured Gaza flotilla activists sparks global outcry: Monstrous, undignified and inhumane One activist shown being pulled to the ground by her hair in video posted by Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir
independent · about 3 hours ago
Israeli minister Ben-Gvirs video of Gaza flotilla activists sparks outcry Detained activists, their hands tied and forced to kneel as the Israeli national anthem is belted out in the background. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released footage on X of him taunting the activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla. The video sparked widespread international condemnations. FRANCE 24s Gabrielle Nadler reports.
france24 · about 4 hours ago
Netanyahu issues rare rebuke to far-right Israeli minister over video taunting handcuffed Gaza flotilla activists Itamar Ben-Gvir is facing global backlash after releasing clips making fun of detained activists who tried to breach a blockade of Gaza
independent · about 5 hours ago
Netanyahu speaks out after video shows minister taunting activists The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey last week in an effort to breach Israels blockade of Gaza.
euronews · about 5 hours ago
Israeli security minister Ben Gvir releases footage of detained flotilla activists Video released by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showed detained Gaza flotilla activists handcuffed on the ground at Ashdod port.
euronews · about 5 hours ago
Greece Condemns Israeli Ministers Unacceptable Taunting of Detained Flotilla Activists The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the behavior of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir toward Greek citizens detained during the Global Sumud Flotilla incident, labeling his actions unacceptable and absolutely reprehensible. Dozens of activists can be seen in the clip forced to kneel on the ground, with their hands tied, […]
greek reporter · about 5 hours ago
US lifts sanctions against Francesca Albanese, UN rapporteur on Palestinians The United States on Wednesday lifted sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a UN expert critical of Israels treatment of Palestinians, after a court order. A Treasury Department notice showed Albanese was removed from a sanctions blacklist that had effectively cut her off from global banking and credit card services.
france24 · about 14 hours ago
US condemns Israels Ben-Gvir while sanctioning Gaza flotilla organisers Mike Huckabee says Ben-Gvir betrayed dignity in video taunting flotilla activists, day after US sanctioned organisers.
aljazeera · about 14 hours ago
Israel faces European backlash over Gaza flotilla detentions Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked condemnation abroad on Wednesday, after releasing videos showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla, hands bound and foreheads on the ground. Several European countries called for the activists release while France, Spain and the Netherlands announced they had summoned Israeli ambassadors.
le monde · about 16 hours ago
European governments slam Israels treatment of flotilla activists as unacceptable The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey last week in the latest attempt by activists to breach Israels blockade of the Palestinian territory.
euronews · about 18 hours ago
Israeli security minister stirs diplomatic outrage with flotilla activist abuse video Far-right figure Itamar Ben-Gvir shares footage of himself taunting bound international detaineesIsraels far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked a diplomatic crisis by publishing footage of Israeli security forces abusing international activists who were detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid.There was a rapid and furious response from countries whose citizens were on board the boats, including the UK, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, in many cases delivered in person from the top of government. Continue reading...
theguardian · about 18 hours ago