Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked a diplomatic crisis by publishing footage of Israeli security forces abusing international activists who were detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid. The video shows dozens of men and women kneeling with their foreheads to the ground and hands zip-tied, while Ben-Gvir mocks them, waving an Israeli flag and shouting slogans.
Three activists were taken to hospital as a result of Israeli violence, according to lawyers representing the group, and were later discharged. The rights group Adalah reported “systemic violations of due process” and “widespread physical and psychological abuse”, including a large number of complaints of extreme violence.
The video drew rapid condemnation from the UK, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Italy, among others. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled”, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the images “unacceptable”, demanding the release of Italian citizens and an apology. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, described Ben-Gvir’s behaviour as “despicable”.
Over 400 activists from 40 countries on 50 vessels took part in the flotilla, which set off from Turkey carrying food and aid in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Tuesday. Seven months after a ceasefire, hunger is widespread in Gaza and most Palestinians live in tents or overcrowded shelters with inadequate sanitation and clean water.
New Zealand’s foreign affairs minister, Winston Peters, noted that his country had placed a travel ban on Ben-Gvir in 2025, and said his latest conduct was “further vindication of that position”. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also denounced Israel’s actions.
