WASHINGTON: Two prominent US Democratic senators have strongly criticised Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the treatment of detained Gaza flotilla activists, calling the conduct “disgusting”, “inhumane” and reflective of broader concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinians.
Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley issued separate statements condemning the handling of activists detained during efforts linked to the Gaza flotilla campaign. In a post shared on X, Senator Merkley said the treatment of detainees by Israeli authorities was unacceptable and deeply troubling.
This is how National Security Minister Ben-Gvir treats detainees when he knows the cameras are rolling — to say nothing of what happens to Palestinians behind closed doors.
This conduct is abhorrent. He should’ve been sanctioned by the U.S. long ago. https://t.co/7SSPAutLoF
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) May 20, 2026
“Ben-Gvir’s treatment of these detainees is disgusting and inhumane,” Merkley said, adding that the devastation witnessed in Gaza had compelled many people around the world to take action in solidarity with Palestinians.
“When we see images of Gaza — destroyed communities and desperate families — we know why people are called to action,” he stated. Senator Van Hollen also criticised the Israeli minister, questioning how detainees may be treated away from public scrutiny.
“This is how National Security Minister Ben-Gvir treats detainees when he knows the cameras are rolling — to say nothing of what happens to Palestinians behind closed doors,” Van Hollen said.
He further described the conduct as “abhorrent” and argued that the Israeli minister should have faced sanctions from Washington much earlier. “This conduct is abhorrent. He should’ve been sanctioned by the US long ago,” the senator added.
Both lawmakers have been among the most vocal Democratic supporters of Palestinian rights in the United States Congress. They have repeatedly criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza and raised concerns over the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave.
Van Hollen and Merkley have also previously travelled to the Rafah border crossing to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis and restrictions affecting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The latest remarks come amid growing international scrutiny over Israel’s treatment of detainees and ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have triggered widespread criticism from humanitarian organisations and rights advocates across the world.
There has been widespread international condemnation over Israel’s treatment of pro-Palestinian activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces.
The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Canada were among the countries expressing outrage after far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video appearing to show him mocking activists who were kneeling with their hands bound behind their backs.
The incident also prompted rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the actions were “not in line with Israel’s values.”
A rights organisation representing the 430 participants from more than 40 countries involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla called for the immediate release of the detainees.
The flotilla, carrying a symbolic quantity of humanitarian aid, aimed to draw attention to the severe humanitarian conditions faced by Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza.
