Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has faced international condemnation after posting a video showing security forces abusing foreign activists seized while trying to sail aid to Gaza. The footage, captioned 'Welcome to Israel', depicts activists forced to kneel with hands bound and foreheads to the ground, as Ben-Gvir waves an Israeli flag.
The treatment of the 400 detainees from 44 countries prompted rebukes from leaders in Italy, Canada, and across Europe, as well as the US ambassador to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare public criticism, stating Ben-Gvir's behaviour was 'not in line with Israel's values and norms'. However, rights groups note such abuse mirrors the systemic mistreatment of Palestinian detainees.
Since October 2023, at least 98 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody, including a 17-year-old believed killed by starvation. Documented abuses include rape filmed on security cameras, which Netanyahu described as 'heroic' and the attempted prosecution as 'criminal'. Ben-Gvir has boasted of a 'prison revolution', normalising violence, extreme hunger, and humiliation.
Tal Steiner of HaMoked said the 'harrowing and unjustifiable' forms of abuse in Ben-Gvir's video are routine for Palestinians, adding: 'We must not forget that this is what happens to Palestinians, as well as much worse forms of torture.' Guy Shalev of Physicians for Human Rights–Israel argued that Netanyahu's condemnation attempts to frame the abuse as an 'extremist aberration', while systematic violations continue.
Several countries summoned Israeli ambassadors over the mistreatment. Ben-Gvir remains unrepentant, publicly clashing with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who called the video a 'disgraceful display' that harmed Israel. Ben-Gvir retorted by accusing Saar of weakness.
