Israel’s national security head condemned for humiliating Western humanitarian activists

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir enraged numerous officials both internationally and within his own government by posting footage of himself jeering at Western humanitarian workers and egging on the police, under his command, who arrested them as they attempted to deliver aid to Gaza.

Ben-Gvir shot the footage during a visit to the processing and detention area where the activists were brought after being intercepted from the “Global Sumud” flotilla.

Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla vessels earlier this week as the group tried to breach Israel’s blockade surrounding Gaza. Organizers said about 430 activists from dozens of countries were detained, according to the Times of Israel.

Dozens of activists appear with their hands zip-tied behind their backs in the footage Ben-Gvir posted to social media. Many were also forced to kneel in rows or lie face-down on the ground and ship deck for extended periods while Israel’s national anthem blasted over loudspeakers. 

Ben-Gvir filmed himself walking through the detention area carrying a large Israeli flag while taunting and jeering at the bound activists. 

“They come with a lot of pride, like great heroes, look at how they look now, just look,” he said. “Not heroes or anything. I tell Prime Minister Netanyahu, give them to me for a much longer time.”

Armed and masked Israeli police and other officers surrounded the detainees, with officers seen pushing, dragging, and manhandling some activists. In one clip, a woman who shouted “Free Palestine!” was shoved to the ground by officers. 

“This is how we welcome terror supporters. Welcome to Israel.” Ben Gvir also said. “We are the landlords here.” 

Throughout the videos, he repeatedly referred to the activists as “terror supporters.” He said they deserved long prison sentences. At one point, he dismissed the audible pleading of a detained woman by telling viewers, “Don’t be bothered by their screams.”

International backlash 

Spokespeople for numerous countries condemned Ben-Gvir’s treatment of the detainees, including officials in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Türkiye, Qatar, Colombia, Ireland, South Korea, New Zealand, and elsewhere, issuing statements about the footage. Many officials summoned their nations’ respective Israeli ambassadors to demand apologies and promises of redress.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote, “Italy further demands an apology for the treatment reserved to these demonstrators and for the total contempt shown toward the explicit requests of the Italian Government.” 

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly called Ben-Gvir’s actions “despicable.” While Huckabee described the flotilla as a “stupid stunt,” he added that “Ben Gvir betrayed the dignity of his nation.” 

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the scenes as “unacceptable.” 

“Whatever one thinks of this flotilla—and we have indicated on several occasions our disapproval of this initiative—our compatriots who are participating in it must be treated with respect and released as quickly as possible,” he wrote. 

Poland’s Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs responded to Ben-Gvir’s video directly on X, writing, “You may not treat Polish citizens who have committed no crime in this way. In the democratic world we do not abuse and gloat over people in custody. We demand justice for our citizens and consequences for you.” 

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand said she was going to summon the country’s Israeli ambassador regarding “the heinous treatment of civilians” and stressed the need to protect the dignity and safety of Canadian detainees. 

“Civilians must be protected at all times,” she wrote.

José Albares, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the European Union and Cooperation, spoke at a press conference about the video. 

“In response to the monstrous, undignified, and humiliating treatment by an Israeli minister toward the Spaniards and the rest of the flotilla members, I have urgently summoned the chargé d'affaires of Israel,” he said. “I demand their immediate release and apologies from the government of Israel.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Ben Gvir acted like “a true nazi.” 

“This is how he treated our fellow citizens just because they wanted to stop the genocide in Gaza,” he wrote. 

Israel’s response 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s publicly denounced Ben-Gvir in a statement posted on social media. “You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time,” Sa’ar wrote, addressing Ben-Gvir directly. “You have undone tremendous, professional, and successful efforts made by so many people – from soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others. No, you are not the face of Israel.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the interception of the flotilla was justified but Ben-Gvir's actions were "not in line with Israel’s values and norms." 

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter distanced the government from Ben-Gvir’s conduct, saying Netanyahu and Sa’ar had made clear that Ben-Gvir’s “reckless grandstanding” did not represent Israeli values or policy.

In a statement posted on X, Leiter said Ben-Gvir’s actions were damaging Israel’s diplomatic efforts at a critical moment, writing that the minister’s “antics take a sledgehammer to our diplomatic efforts while Israel’s enemies gleefully jump on every unfortunate nonsense to discredit and demonize.”

Excluding Ben-Gvir’s conduct, Leiter defended Israel’s handling of activists detained from the “Global Sumud” flotilla, saying the activists “were properly detained in accordance with international law and will be deported to their home countries.” He added: “End of story.”

Who is Ben-Gvir?

As Israel’s National Security Minister, Ben-Gvir has command of the nation’s police force. As Zeale News previously reported, the U.S. Congressional Research Service has said Netanyahu’s inclusion of Ben-Gvir in his government raised questions about Israel’s democratic institutions because he was convicted in 2007 of incitement to racism against Arabs and support for the group Kach, which is designated as a terrorist organization by both Israel and the U.S.

In March, Ben-Gvir authored a controversial death penalty law for Palestinians in the West Bank, wore a noose-shaped lapel pin while advocating for the measure, and celebrated its passage by opening a bottle of champagne outside the chamber, declaring, “Soon we will count them one by one.”

Netanyahu traveled to personally cast his own vote in favor of the measure alongside Ben-Gvir.

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