Video of Itamar Ben-Gvir Destroys Israel's Hasbara Image in the Eyes of the World
Video posted by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked broad international condemnation. The clip shows Ben-Gvir taunting activists from the humanitarian flotilla who were captured while attempting to breach the Gaza blockade. The act is seen as destroying Israel’s public relations campaign known as Hasbara.
In the clip uploaded on X, Ben-Gvir appears proud as activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla kneel on the floor, blindfolded and with their hands bound at Ashdod port. The Israeli navy had earlier intercepted the vessels off the coast of Cyprus and detained 430 participants illegally.
Experts say that the attempt to manage the damage by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who ordered fast deportations of the activists, was driven not by moral outrage but by fear of permanent damage to Israel’s global image.
For decades, Israel has relied on Hasbara—the Hebrew term for explanation—as a systematic propaganda campaign to justify its military policies toward Palestine. Fathi Nimer, a Palestinian policy expert from Al-Shabaka, described Hasbara as a tool to beautify the face of occupation.
However, Ben-Gvir’s video shatters that costly narrative in an instant. ‘To Netanyahu, the sin is not torture or humiliation of the activist, but broadcasting it to the whole world,’ Nimer said.
The incident also highlights a contradiction in U.S. policy. Although the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, criticised Ben-Gvir for ‘betraying the dignity of his people,’ that criticism was deemed hollow by many.
Just a day after the video circulated, the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on four organisers of Global Sumud Flotilla, labelling the humanitarian mission as an pro-terror flotilla. Analysts point to a double standard: the United States swiftly punishes humanitarian activists, yet continues to shield the Israeli far-right minister from real accountability.
For Palestinians, the affront endured by international activists is only a glimpse of a darker systemic reality. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, said the sight of activists bound and blindfolded is a microcosm of what thousands of Palestinian prisoners experience daily.
Human rights organisations estimate nearly 100 Palestinians have died in Israeli detention since October 2023, amid widespread reports of starvation, brutal beatings, and medical neglect.
Luisa Morgantini, former Vice-President of the European Parliament, called for stronger measures than simply summoning ambassadors. She urged European countries to suspend association agreements with Israel, halt arms sales, and support ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. (Al Jazeera/I-2)
Israel began deporting 428 Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers, including nine Indonesian nationals. The humanitarian activists were repatriated after being detained by the Israeli military.
Yvonne explained that the protection and immediate repatriation of the nine Indonesian nationals detained by the Israeli military was conducted through all diplomatic channels available to Indonesia.
It is said that officials have received official confirmation from the Israeli prison service and government that all activists held.
Furthermore, Yvonne stated that Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Sugiono, has also spoken with colleagues in several countries such as Turkey and Jordan.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the treatment was unacceptable and violated human dignity, especially since some Italian nationals were detained.
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