Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has provoked international outrage after sharing a video on social media showing Israeli security forces abusing international activists detained while attempting to sail to Gaza with aid. The footage depicts dozens of men and women kneeling with their heads to the ground and hands zip-tied, as Ben-Gvir waves an Israeli flag and taunts them.
Lawyers for the activists reported that three were taken to hospital due to Israeli violence, later discharged, while dozens of others suffered suspected broken ribs and breathing problems. The rights group Adalah documented “systemic violations of due process, and widespread physical and psychological abuse” and “a large number of complaints of extreme violence”.
Governments from the UK, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Italy condemned the treatment. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the video, which “violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity”. She has been in touch with families of British citizens held by Israel.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the images “shocking and unacceptable”, while New Zealand’s Winston Peters instructed the Israeli ambassador be summoned over “grave concerns”. Peters noted New Zealand had imposed a travel ban on Ben-Gvir in 2025. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, described Ben-Gvir’s behaviour as “despicable”.
The flotilla, organised by the Global Sumud Flotilla, involved over 400 activists from 40 countries on 50 vessels carrying food and aid from Turkey. Israeli forces intercepted the boats in international waters on Tuesday. Seven months after a ceasefire in Gaza, hunger remains widespread, with most Palestinians living in tents or overcrowded shelters lacking sanitation and clean water.
