International criticism intensified Thursday following the release of a video showing Israel’s far-right security minister mocking activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla who were being held on the ground by authorities.
The handling of the activists by law enforcement under National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s oversight prompted criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United States, Israel’s closest ally.
The aid workers, whose ship was stopped Wednesday in international waters by Israeli naval units while attempting to transport humanitarian supplies to Gaza, were all expelled from Israel Thursday, according to the Israeli foreign ministry.
European nations called in Israeli diplomatic representatives to express disapproval of the video. Italy requested an official apology, Spain declared it would not accept mistreatment of its nationals, and France called for the immediate release of all those detained.
Britain’s foreign ministry stated the video “violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity for people”, while Poland’s foreign minister requested that Ben-Gvir be prohibited from entering the country.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated that Ben-Gvir had “betrayed (the) dignity of his nation”.
The widespread condemnation follows the release of campaign-style footage by Ben-Gvir and at least one other minister in Netanyahu’s administration, transport chief Miri Regev, showing them at the port criticizing the demonstrators, publicity-seeking behavior ahead of a possible early election in Israel.
Thameen al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated the activists’ detention at sea appeared unlawful, and that any mistreatment should be examined with those responsible held accountable.
“It is not a crime to show solidarity and bring humanitarian assistance to the people who are in dire need of it in Gaza,” he told Reuters.
Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, among several activists separated from others and transported home earlier, claimed he was attacked upon arrival at Israeli detention in what he described as a container, calling it a “place of terror”.
“‘Beat you up’ means they kicked me in the legs and punched me in the face. These are people who know what they are doing, so I don’t have any major visible marks … They would beat you up and would tell you ‘Welcome to Israel’,” he told reporters upon arriving at Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
Another Italian activist, Dario Carotenuto, a lawmaker from the 5-Star Movement, reported being punched in the eye and kicked during detention.
Israel’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the activists’ claims. Participants in previous flotillas intercepted by Israel also reported abuse by Israeli forces, which Israel denied.
Flotilla organizers state they sought to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid, which charitable organizations say remains insufficient despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas effective since October 2025 that includes promises of increased assistance.
The flotilla left southern Turkey this week before being intercepted Wednesday. Previous flotillas — including one carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg — were also stopped by Israel, with participants subsequently deported.
Israeli rights organization Adalah reported the estimated 430 activists had been freed from prison in southern Israel.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced his country was organizing special flights to transport Turkish citizens as well as third-country participants to Turkey. Those aboard the flotilla included citizens of Spain, South Korea and Ireland.
“We will continue to uphold the rights of our citizens and fulfil our humanitarian responsibility toward civilians in Gaza,” Fidan stated.
Ben-Gvir’s video depicts officers pushing an activist to the ground after she chants “Free, free Palestine”.
The footage also displays dozens of detained activists kneeling in lines with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, in what appears to be an outdoor Israeli port facility. In the background, soldiers armed with long guns can be seen patrolling the area from aboard a military vessel.
During Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched following the October 2023 Hamas attacks, Israeli forces frequently positioned detained Palestinians on the ground with their hands restrained.
“Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything,” Ben-Gvir says in the video as he walks past the activists while carrying a large Israeli flag.
Netanyahu declared Ben-Gvir’s behavior was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms”.
Ben-Gvir’s political support includes some of Israel’s most nationalist voters, a group that Netanyahu’s Likud party has previously attempted to attract before national elections, the next of which is scheduled by October 27.
This week, Israel moved closer to a snap election after lawmakers gave initial approval to dissolve parliament.
Canada and Spain are among countries that have imposed sanctions on Ben-Gvir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, citing allegations that they incited violence against Palestinians.
