Jerusalem — Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has drawn sharp criticism at home and abroad after posting video footage of detained Gaza flotilla activists forced to kneel with their hands tied behind their backs, a scene that quickly turned into a diplomatic storm for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The activists were part of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Tuesday before being taken to an Israeli port. Reuters reported that Israeli police made the detainees kneel in rows while Ben-Gvir looked on, a moment that was filmed and circulated online by the minister himself. The footage showed the activists restrained and placed in degrading positions, prompting condemnation from several foreign governments and even senior Israeli officials.
Ben-Gvir, who has long built his political brand on hardline security rhetoric, appeared to use the detention scene as a warning to others trying to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. But the move backfired almost immediately. Netanyahu publicly rebuked him, saying the conduct shown in the video was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms,” while still defending Israel’s right to stop flotillas heading toward Gaza. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also criticized the episode, warning that it damaged Israel’s image internationally.
The reaction outside Israel was blunt. The European Commission called the treatment of the activists “completely unacceptable” and said detainees must be handled with dignity and in line with international law. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney went even further, describing Israel’s treatment of the flotilla members as “abominable” and “unacceptable,” while Ottawa summoned Israel’s ambassador in protest.
Several European governments also demanded explanations. Italy, France, the Netherlands and others summoned Israeli envoys, while Germany’s ambassador to Israel called the treatment “wholly unacceptable.” British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the footage and said London had asked Israeli authorities for an explanation.
The flotilla, identified by organizers as the Global Sumud Flotilla, was attempting to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and draw attention to Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis. Israel has maintained the blockade since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, saying it is necessary to stop weapons from reaching the group. Activists and rights organizations argue the restrictions amount to collective punishment and have deepened the suffering of civilians trapped in the enclave.
Rights group Adalah accused Israeli authorities of mistreating detainees, including reports of injuries and humiliating handling. Israel has denied some of the more serious allegations, including claims that live ammunition was used during interdictions. Still, the images of bound activists kneeling on the ground have given critics a powerful visual argument — and, frankly, one Israel’s own allies seemed unwilling to defend.
The United States also saw criticism from an unexpected corner. Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel and a staunch supporter of the country, called the flotilla a “stupid stunt” but said Ben-Gvir’s actions were “despicable” and had “betrayed the dignity” of Israel. That kind of comment, coming from such a pro-Israel figure, underlined just how far the backlash had spread.
For Netanyahu, the incident adds another headache at a time when Israel is already facing intense pressure over Gaza, aid access, detainee treatment and civilian suffering. His criticism of Ben-Gvir may calm some diplomatic anger, but it also exposes the uneasy balance inside his coalition, where far-right ministers often push positions that create problems far beyond Israel’s domestic politics.
The detained activists are expected to face deportation proceedings, according to Israeli officials and media reports. But the damage from the video may linger longer than the detentions themselves. What began as a show of force by Ben-Gvir has turned into another global flashpoint over Israel’s conduct in Gaza — and over how far its most hardline ministers are willing to go in front of the cameras.
