World Leaders Summon Israeli Envoys Over Ben-Gvir Video Shaming Gaza Flotilla Activists - Israel Security
Several world leaders summoned their Israeli ambassadors and issued harsh criticism on Wednesday over a video published by Israel's far-right Defense Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing detained participants of an intercepted Gaza-bound flotilla being bound and dragged through Ashdod Port in southern Israel.
"That's how we welcome terror supporters. Welcome to Israel," Ben-Gvir wrote in a post on X that included a video showing masked Israeli police officers restraining the activists, forcefully moving them through a facility, lining them up inside a warehouse and requiring them to kneel with their hands zip-tied behind their backs.
"Am Israel Chai," Ben-Gvir said, taunting handcuffed activists.
Italy, France, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom summoned their Israeli ambassadors for further clarification and demanded apologies.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the video, writing on X that Ben-Gvir's conduct was "inadmissible," adding that the Italian government is taking "all necessary steps " to ensure the immediate release of the involved Italian citizens.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also harshly condemned the video, writing on X, "Ben-Gvir's actions toward the passengers of the Global Sumud flotilla, denounced by his own colleagues in the Israeli government, are unacceptable."
Barrot added that French citizens must be treated with respect and freed as soon as possible, though he noted that he opposed the flotilla's approach.
Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares sharply condemned the "monstrous, undignified and humiliating treatment" and "urgently" summoned Israel's charge d'affaires.
Canada will also summon the Israeli ambassador over the mistreatment of activists, Foreign Minister Anita Anand told reporters: "It's a matter of humane treatment of civilians, and I can assure you that we are acting with absolute urgency."
The Netherlands' foreign minister will also summon Israel's ambassador to address "the unacceptable" treatment of detained Gaza flotilla activists.
The images shared by extremist Minister Ben-Gvir of detained Flotilla activists are shocking and unacceptable. This treatment of detainees violates basic human dignity. I raised this directly with my Israeli colleague @gidonsaar and will summon the Israeli ambassador. 1/2
"This treatment of detainees violates basic human dignity. I raised this directly with my Israeli colleague Gideon Sa'ar and will summon the Israeli ambassador," Berendsen said in a post on X.
Belgium's deputy Prime Minister also summoned its Israeli envoy over the "deeply disturbing images."
"People held captive, bound, forced face down, and a government minister broadcasting their humiliation on social media. Belgian citizens are among those detained. This situation is unacceptable," he wrote. "It violates the most basic standards of human dignity. All detainees must be treated with dignity and released without delay."
In the video, masked police officers are seen pushing the flotilla activists to the ground, forcing them to stand on all fours, and dragging them across the floor.
The video also shows the activists forced to kneel on a metal floor in an unshaded area while Israel's anthem is playing, surrounded by containers and barbed wire, while armed Border Police officers keep watch. At the end of the video, a woman can be heard pleading and screaming, with Ben-Gvir saying to the camera, "Don't be bothered by their screams."
The video shows a security force member taking down an activist who is chanting "Free Palestine," while shouts of "quiet, quiet" can be heard in the background. Ben Gvir, who is standing nearby, is filmed telling the security forces "good job." The minister is then filmed waving the Israeli flag and shouting "Welcome to Israel, we are the owners."
According to security sources, most of the videos recorded were from areas under IDF and police control, while the part where the activist shouted at the minister was in territory controlled by the Israeli Security Service.
Israel's Foreign Ministry did not answer Haaretz's inquiry as to whether the way the flotilla detainees were documented in Ben-Gvir's videos – lying down and handcuffed – is the standard procedure for holding them, or whether it was staged specifically for the minister's videos, and referred inquiries to the Israel Prison Service.
Amid the developing diplomatic row, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare rebuke of Ben-Gvir regarding his treatment of the detained activists.
"Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza," he said.
"However, the way that Minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel's values and norms," he added, saying that he had instructed Israeli authorities to deport the activists "as soon as possible."
Utterly appalling and unacceptable behaviour by Minister Gvir and the Israeli government. Our Embassy has formally raised this matter with the Israeli authorities and have demanded proper and humane treatment of Irish citizen. These actions cannot be allowed to continue.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, also issued a comment, saying that Ben-Gvir "is not the face of Israel." He attacked his coalition partner, saying he "knowingly damaged the country with this horrendous charade, and not for the first time."
Sa'ar said that Ben-Gvir's video spoiled the "great efforts" made by many Israeli officials and IDF soldiers.
Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, wrote on X that Ben-Gvir's "reckless grandstanding is not representative of government policy."
"Ben-Gvir's antics take a sledgehammer to our diplomatic efforts while Israel's enemies gleefully jump on every unfortunate nonsense to discredit and demonize," he added.
As @IsraeliPM Netanyahu and FM @gidonsaar have made clear, Itamar Ben Gvir’s reckless grandstanding is not representative of government policy. I am Israel’s top diplomat in the U.S., at the heart of our most important alliance. Ben Gvir’s antics take a sledgehammer to our
Following these remarks by Israeli officials, Germany's envoy to Israel, Steffen Seibert, took to X, writing that "It is good to hear many Israeli voices – including the foreign minister – call out in all clarity Ben-Gvir's treatment of the detainees for what it is: wholly unacceptable and incompatible with the basic values of our countries."
The flotilla activists include Italian lawmaker Dario Carotenuto and the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly. Ireland's Foreign Minister Helen McEntee took to X shortly after Ben-Gvir's video was published, saying Ben-Gvir's and the Israeli government's behavior was "Utterly appalling and unacceptable."
It is good to hear many Israeli voices - including the foreign minister - call out in all clarity Minister Ben Gvir‘s treatment of the detainees for what it is: wholly unacceptable and incompatible with the basic values of our countries.
"Our Embassy has formally raised this matter with the Israeli authorities and has demanded proper and humane treatment of Irish citizens," she wrote. "These actions cannot be allowed to continue."
On Monday, Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin called on Israel's interception of the Gaza-bound boats in international waters "absolutely unacceptable."
Turkey's Foreign Affairs Ministry called the arrest "illegal" and said that Ben-Gvir, "a key figure in the genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza, has once again openly demonstrated to the world the violent and barbaric mindset of the Netanyahu government.
We are taking every possible step with other relevant countries to secure the immediate and safe release of our citizens and other flotilla participants who are being held captive, and we are resolutely continuing our efforts to achieve results as soon as possible," the ministry added.
Earlier on Wednesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Israel had detained South Korean nationals in international waters, calling the action "way out of line."
In a cabinet meeting, Lee said the South Korean citizens had been detained for reasons not valid under international law, questioning whether such actions could be allowed to pass without protest.
On Tuesday, the Israeli Navy completed its takeover of the 68 Gaza-bound vessels, with the country's Foreign Ministry confirming that "all 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel," adding that they "will be able to meet with their consular representatives."
The NGO Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel said that "Israel is pursuing a policy of abuse and humiliation against activists."
According to the organization, "these events come after Adalah has documented numerous cases in the past of violent treatment of activists in previous flotillas, for which Israel did not bear any responsibility."
According to Adalah, lawyers and volunteers on its behalf have arrived at the port and are currently providing legal advice to the flotilla participants. "The international community must take urgent steps to protect the members of the flotilla from this brutal and illegal conduct on the part of Israeli officials," the statement said.
The Israeli Prison Service said in response to the incident, "During the reception of the detainees, the prison guards were required to act to maintain order and security in the place. All actions were carried out in accordance with procedures and professional considerations."
The service added that because the area where the incident took place is "divided into areas of jurisdiction, for obvious reasons, we cannot comment on the many parts filmed that appear in the video and are not within the IPS's area of responsibility."
Liza Rozovsky, Rawan Suleiman and Nir Hasson contributed to this report.