ASHDOD, ISRAEL (Reuters) May 20, 2026 – Israeli police forced hundreds of activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to kneel on the ground with their hands zip-tied behind their backs at Ashdod port, footage released on Wednesday shows. The images, which include National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir walking among the detainees while waving an Israeli flag and taunting them, have triggered widespread international condemnation and rare criticism from within Israel’s own government.
The incident stems from Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of around 50 vessels carrying approximately 430 activists from more than 40 countries. Organizers said the mission aimed to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza amid a fragile US-brokered ceasefire. Israeli forces boarded the ships in international waters in the days leading up to May 19–20, bringing the vessels and activists to Ashdod port.
In videos posted by Ben-Gvir on X (formerly Twitter), masked police officers are seen pushing activists to the ground, forcing some onto all fours, and making them kneel in rows. Israel’s national anthem plays in the background as the far-right minister waves a large flag and declares phrases such as “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords” and “That’s how we welcome the terror supporters.” One activist chanting “Free, free Palestine” is immediately forced down.
Ben-Gvir, who oversees the police as National Security Minister, captioned one clip: “Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything.” He also appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow him to imprison the activists for a long time.
International and Domestic Backlash
The footage has drawn sharp rebukes from several countries:
- Italy and France summoned Israeli envoys.
- The UK, Canada, South Korea, and others expressed outrage, with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper saying she was “truly appalled” at the violation of basic dignity.
- Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, reportedly rebuked Ben-Gvir, calling his actions damaging to Israel’s image.
Human rights groups described the treatment as humiliating and abusive. Israel maintains that its naval blockade of Gaza is lawful and necessary for security, and that the activists were attempting to breach it in support of Hamas.
Activists and organizers condemned the interception as an act of piracy in international waters and called for the immediate release and deportation of the detainees, many of whom include citizens from Italy, South Korea, Australia, and other nations. Some reports indicate activists have begun hunger strikes.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, organized with involvement from groups like the Turkish aid organization IHH, is one of several attempts in recent years to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israel has intercepted previous flotillas, arguing they could carry weapons or materials for militants. Organizers insist the mission was purely humanitarian.
As of Wednesday evening, most detainees were expected to be deported after processing, though the incident has further strained Israel’s international relations at a sensitive time.
This developing story continues to unfold with diplomatic repercussions likely in the coming days.
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