Britain has summoned Israel’s most senior diplomat in London following a video posted by Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that shows detained activists being forced to kneel with their hands tied. The Foreign Office said the chargé d’affaires, Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, was called in to express strong condemnation of the minister’s conduct.
The video, posted on social media platform X, depicts Israeli police forcing activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla – bound for Gaza – to kneel in rows while Ben-Gvir walks by carrying a large Israeli flag. In the footage, he taunts them, saying: 'They came as big heroes. Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything.'
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was 'truly appalled' by the video, which she said 'violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity'. The UK has demanded an explanation from Israeli authorities and stressed their obligation to protect the rights of all detainees, including British nationals believed to be among the 430 people on board.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the interception of the flotilla but acknowledged that Ben-Gvir’s treatment of the activists was 'not in line with Israel’s values and norms'. He ordered the deportation of the detainees as soon as possible. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ben-Gvir of harming Israel’s diplomatic efforts.
The flotilla, which set sail from southern Turkey, aimed to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. Aid workers continue to report severe shortages despite a US-brokered ceasefire in place since October 2025. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemned the treatment of detainees, among whom were Italian citizens.
