Controversial Israeli video draws global condemnation as Netanyahu rebukes Ben‑Gvir
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of Israel sparked a wave of international condemnation and domestic tensions within the Israeli cabinet on Wednesday (20 May 2026) after releasing a video in which he ridiculed humanitarian activist volunteers detained as they attempted to breach the sea blockade of Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly issued a stern rebuke. He stated that Ben-Gvir’s actions did not reflect Israel’s values and norms. While Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s right to stop the flotilla, which he described as ‘Hamas terrorist supporters’, he ordered that the activists be deported, contrary to Ben-Gvir’s call for lengthy prison sentences.
In the released footage, Ben-Gvir is seen walking among around 430 detainees. The activists are shown kneeling, hands bound behind their backs, heads lowered to the deck of the vessel and in a temporary holding area.
‘Welcome to Israel. We are the landowners of this land,’ Ben-Gvir says while waving a large Israeli flag. In another clip, he taunts the activists, saying, ‘They arrived here with pride like great heroes. Look at them now.’
One bound activist shouts ‘Free Palestine’ as Ben-Gvir passes by, and is promptly pushed to the ground by security personnel.
The move provoked anger from Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar. On X, Saar sharply admonished his cabinet colleague: ‘You have deliberately caused damage to our country in this embarrassing display. No, you are not the face of Israel.’
Ben-Gvir’s provocation triggered swift diplomatic reactions from several countries whose nationals were on the flotilla:
Hamas also condemned the action, calling it a moral decline and cruelty by Israel toward humanitarian activists.
Israeli forces intercepted the last ship of the flotilla on Tuesday in international waters. Organisers of the flotilla alleged that the Israeli military fired upon their vessels. The Israeli Foreign Ministry, however, denied the use of live ammunition and said only non-lethal measures were employed as a warning.
The flotilla had departed from Turkey the previous week to highlight the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which has been blockaded for almost two decades. Among the activists were Irish nationals, including Catherine Connolly, sister of the Irish President. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the interception in international waters was entirely unacceptable.
To date, the Gaza conflict has claimed more than 72,700 lives since the 7 October 2023 attacks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The blockade, intensified by Israel, aims to prevent weapons entering Hamas; critics argue it amounts to collective punishment of nearly 2 million Palestinian civilians.
The Indonesian government expressed appreciation to Turkey for its active assistance in the repatriation of Indonesian volunteers.
Israel has begun deporting 428 Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) volunteers, including nine Indonesian citizens. The activists were repatriated after several days in Israeli custody.
Yvonne explained that the efforts to protect and expedite the repatriation of the nine Indonesians detained by the Israeli military were being conducted through Indonesia’s diplomatic channels. Adalah said it had received official confirmation from the Israeli prison service and state officials that all activists were detained.
Furthermore, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has been in contact with colleagues in several countries, including Turkey and Jordan.