Israeli minister’s video mocking Gaza flotilla activists sparks global outrage

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked international outrage after posting videos mocking detained activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, with several governments condemning the treatment as humiliating and inhumane. The footage, shared on social media after Israeli forces intercepted the convoy in international waters, showed activists kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads pressed to the ground while Israel’s national anthem played in the background.The activists were among around 430 people detained after Israeli naval forces stopped the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of roughly 50 vessels that had sailed from Turkey in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The detainees were taken to Ashdod port in southern Israel, where Ben-Gvir filmed himself waving an Israeli flag and taunting those in custody.In one clip, the far-right minister declared, “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords,” while another showed him urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to imprison the activists “for a long, long time” in facilities he described as “terrorist prisons”. One activist shouting “Free Palestine” was seen being pushed to the ground by security personnel as Ben-Gvir walked past.European governments condemn footageThe videos triggered sharp criticism across Europe. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described the treatment as “monstrous, disgraceful and inhumane”, while Ireland’s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was “appalled and shocked” by the footage and demanded the immediate release of the “illegally detained” activists.Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the scenes “unacceptable” and said the treatment violated “human dignity”. Italy also demanded an apology from Israel and sought the swift release of Italian citizens detained aboard the flotilla.The criticism extended within Israel’s own government. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly rebuked Ben-Gvir, accusing him of harming Israel’s international standing through a “disgraceful display”. Netanyahu also distanced himself from the minister’s conduct, saying the handling of detainees was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms”, while ordering authorities to deport the activists quickly.Rights groups accuse Israel of humiliation campaignRights organisation Adalah accused Israeli authorities of carrying out a “criminal policy of abuse and humiliation” against activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The group said lawyers had met detainees at Ashdod and were demanding their immediate release.Hamas condemned the footage as evidence of Israel’s “moral depravity and sadism”, while Turkey and several other countries denounced the flotilla interceptions. Israel, however, defended the operation, dismissing the convoy as a “PR stunt at the service of Hamas” and insisting the blockade was necessary to prevent weapons reaching militant groups in Gaza.The incident comes amid mounting international scrutiny over conditions in Gaza, where aid shortages and humanitarian concerns have intensified during the ongoing war.