CAIRO: A video posted by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Wednesday showing detained Gaza-bound aid flotilla activists with their hands bound and heads bowed has triggered widespread international condemnation and diplomatic protests from several countries.
The video, shared on X by 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.
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור
Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026
The video drew strong international uproar.
Captioned “Welcome to Israel”, the footage shows dozens of flotilla activists forced to kneel with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground.
The footage also shows Ben Gvir heckling and waving an Israeli flag among the detained activists.
US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, denounced what he said were “despicable actions”.
“Universal outrage & condemnation from every high-ranking Israeli official… for despicable actions by Ben Gvir,” Huckabee wrote on X.
Universal outrage & condemnation from every high-ranking Israeli official from @IsraeliPM @IsraelMFA @gidonsaar @IsraelPresident @yechielleiter @IsraelinUSA for despicable actions by Ben Gvir. Flotilla was stupid stunt, but Ben Gvir betrayed dignity of his nation. https://t.co/trK6VjeTIX
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) May 20, 2026
European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib also criticised Ben Gvir, saying on X that “no one should be punished for defending humanity”.
Watch this video.
These are not convicted criminals. These are activists trying to get bread to the hungry.
Peaceful activism & freedom of assembly are fundamental rights.
Civilians must be protected. IHL must be respected. No one should be punished for defending humanity. https://t.co/7pNf0fQjy0
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) May 20, 2026
France said it had summoned the Israeli ambassador over the “unacceptable actions” of Ben Gvir, while Madrid condemned the “monstrous” treatment of activists and said Israel’s charge d’affaires had also been summoned in protest.
Les agissements de M. Ben Gvir à l'égard des passagers de la flottille Global Smud, dénoncés par ses propres collègues au gouvernement israélien, sont inadmissibles. J'ai demandé que l'ambassadeur d'Israël en France soit convoqué pour exprimer notre indignation et obtenir des…
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) May 20, 2026
Belgium summoned the Israeli ambassdor over what it said was a “deeply disturbing” video.
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was “appalled and shocked” by the video and demanded the immediate release of the activists, among whom is the sister of President Catherine Connolly.
Turkiye’s foreign ministry said Ben Gvir had “once again openly demonstrated to the world the violent and barbaric mentality of the Netanyahu government”.
‘Disgraceful display’
Around 50 vessels under the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkiye last week in the latest attempt by activists to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza, after Israeli forces intercepted a previous convoy last month.
The 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.
Hamas said the footage was evidence of Israeli leaders’ “moral depravity and sadism”.
Adalah also criticised Israeli authorities over the video.
“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.
Violation of human dignity
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the immediate release of detained Italian activists and demanded an apology from Israel.
“It is intolerable that these protesters, among whom there are many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity,” Meloni said in a statement.
Le immagini del ministro israeliano Ben Gvir sono inaccettabili. È inammissibile che questi manifestanti, fra cui molti cittadini italiani, vengano sottoposti a questo trattamento lesivo della dignità della persona.
Il Governo italiano sta immediatamente compiendo, ai più alti…— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 20, 2026
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was “appalled and shocked” by the video and demanded the immediate release of the “illegally detained” activists.
Among the detainees is the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Germany’s ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert said the treatment of the activists was “wholly unacceptable”.
Greece’s foreign ministry called for the release of Greek activists — thought to number 19 — to be released.
“The conduct of the Israeli Minister of National Security, which targeted citizens participating in the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla,’ is unacceptable and absolutely condemnable,” the ministry said in a statement.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said the Israeli ambassador would be summoned to explain the video.
“Belgian citizens are among those detained. This situation is unacceptable. It violates the most basic standards of human dignity. All detainees must be treated with dignity and released without delay,” Prevot wrote on X.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten wrote on X that the Israeli ambassador had been summoned, while Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen called the treatment of the activists “shocking and unacceptable”.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the footage was “deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable”.
“I have directed my officials to summon the Israeli ambassador regarding the mistreatment of civilians aboard the flotilla. What we’ve seen, including the video shared by Itamar Ben Gvir, is deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable,” Anand said.
