Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s action taunting activists from a Gaza flotilla sparked public outcry within Israel and global condemnation, with multiple countries calling it a violation of human dignity.
Over 400 activists were detained on Sunday at Ashdod port by Israeli authorities after being arrested at sea. These activists were then transferred to the Ashdod port facility, where they were seen forced to kneel on the ground, with their hands tied, as they were being processed ahead of their likely deportation.
The viral video, posted by Gvir himself, showed him mocking the detainees. The minister was seen touring the facility as one female activist shouted “Free Palestine”. An Israeli official grabs her by her head and shoves her to the ground as she is dragged away from Gvir’s way.
The minister was seen heckling the activists after waving a large Israeli flag. “This is how we welcome supporters of terror," he wrote on X. In the video, he is seen chanting: "Welcome to Israel, we are the owners of the house."
The visual also shows Ben Gvir shouting “Am Yisrael Chai” (the nation of Israel lives) at a bound detainee trying to argue with him.
Another shot pans through the kneeling activists, as Israel’s national anthem is blasted over a loudspeaker. Ben Gvir is subsequently seen shouting “Am Yisrael Chai” (the nation of Israel lives) at a bound detainee trying to argue with him. Ben Gvir is also heard urging guards at the facility to “not [to] be bothered by their screams,” as a woman cries out in the background.
Extreme violence
A non-profit legal centre, Adalah, which provided legal advice to many of the flotilla participants who were arrested, claimed that many of them reported extreme violence, sexual humiliation and serious injuries at the hands of Israeli forces.
According to the organisation's statement, a legal team on its behalf met with hundreds of flotilla participants at Ashdod Port and collected their testimonies. The statement stated that at least three individuals required hospitalisation due to injuries caused by the violence, and dozens of participants were documented with suspected broken ribs and difficulty breathing as a result.
The organisation described that, in addition to the violence used against the activists during the takeover of their boats and during the transfer to the port, they were forced to walk hunched over and sit on their knees for extended periods of time. Activists also reported the frequent use of Taser guns, as well as injuries caused by rubber bullets during the takeover of the flotilla boats. It was also reported that the forces tore the hijabs worn by women.
Netanyahu’s statement
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disavowed the Minister of National Security following the release of the footage. "The manner in which Minister Ben-Gvir treated the flotilla activists is not consistent with Israel's values and norms," he said. However, Netanyahu emphasised that "Israel has the full right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terror supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza.
Global outcry
Six countries announced that they had summoned Israel's ambassadors for an investigation, including France, Italy, the Netherlands and Canada. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Malone sharply criticised the minister's conduct, adding that "Italy demands an apology for the treatment received by the protesters and the disdain shown for its government's requests." Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albers joined the demand for an Israeli apology, and his Belgian counterpart, Maxime Pervoux, sought to secure access to the Belgian detainees "as a matter of urgency." In Ireland, Foreign Minister Helen McEntee condemned Ben Gvir's and Israel's behaviour, calling it "abhorrent and completely unacceptable." British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was also "shocked by the video" and demanded an explanation from Israel about Ben Gvir's actions. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said that "the flotilla was a stupid stunt," but Ben Gvir "betrayed Israel's honour.”