A diplomatic controversy has erupted after video footage surfaced showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ridiculing detained flotilla activists at Ashdod port, leading seven nations to summon Israeli diplomatic representatives.
Italy, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal called in Israeli ambassadors to address the incident, while Spain summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires due to the absence of an ambassador currently stationed there.
The controversial video clips captured numerous international activists forced to kneel at the port facility with their hands apparently bound, as Ben-Gvir conducted a tour of the location. During one segment, the minister displayed a large Israeli flag while calling out in Hebrew, “Welcome to Israel, we are the masters.” Another clip showed restrained demonstrators listening to Israel’s national anthem from speakers, with Ben-Gvir remarking to one individual, “This is how it needs to be.”
These activists had been detained at Ashdod port following the Foreign Ministry’s announcement that the most recent flotilla effort to penetrate Israel’s naval blockade around Gaza had concluded.
According to the activists, their flotilla originated from Turkey with the goal of challenging the blockade, which they hold responsible for Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Israeli officials maintain the blockade serves essential security purposes and claim some flotilla participants have connections to the HHI group, which Israel classifies as a terrorist organization due to suspected Hamas affiliations.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar strongly criticized Ben-Gvir’s behavior in an official statement: “You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time.” Saar continued, “You have undone tremendous, professional and successful efforts made by so many people — from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others.”
“You are not the face of Israel,” Saar declared to Ben-Gvir.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Israel’s authority to intercept “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters,” but characterized Ben-Gvir’s treatment of the activists as “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also weighed in on the social media platform X, writing: “Flotilla was a stupid stunt, but Ben Gvir betrayed the dignity of his nation. Despicable acts.”
