JERUSALEM – Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, published a video on Wednesday featuring himself addressing detained pro-Palestinian activists, who were handcuffed and restrained on the deck of a ship. The video and the minister’s actions drew significant criticism both internationally and within Israel, including from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose governing coalition relies on Ben-Gvir’s support.
The minute-long video, released by Minister Ben-Gvir’s office, depicts at least one of the detainees being physically restrained by police officers on Tuesday. The Israeli national anthem can be heard playing in the background during the footage. The video’s caption, as posted by Ben-Gvir, read: “This is how we receive terror supporters. Welcome to Israel.”
The activists had been arrested at a port in southern Israel following an interception by the Israeli Navy of a protest flotilla attempting to reach the Gaza Strip. The group of 430 individuals detained included nationals from Italy, Spain, and France. These countries subsequently issued condemnations of Mr. Ben-Gvir’s actions and announced they would summon Israel’s ambassadors to express their official outrage.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni specifically demanded an apology from Israel regarding the treatment of the activists, characterizing it as a “violation of human dignity.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu, despite his government’s dependence on Ben-Gvir’s faction, also voiced his disapproval. In a statement, Mr. Netanyahu said, “The way that Minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.” He further stated that he had instructed authorities to “deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.”
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, joined the chorus of criticism, asserting on the social media platform X that Mr. Ben-Gvir had “knowingly damaged the state with this disgraceful spectacle.”
A prominent U.S. political figure known for his support of Israel’s far-right settlement movement, Mike Huckabee, also criticized the minister, calling his actions “despicable” and stating he had “betrayed the dignity of his nation.”
In response to the domestic and international outcry, Minister Ben-Gvir remained unrepentant. A spokesman for the minister shared excerpts from a speech Ben-Gvir delivered in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. In the speech, Ben-Gvir contended that it was Foreign Minister Sa’ar who was undermining the country by “bowing to terrorists.” “The days of our country being a punching bag are over,” Mr. Ben-Gvir declared in the speech. “The days where terrorists want to hurt us and we had to be apologetic, nice and understanding are over.”
Legal experts have indicated that the treatment of international activists depicted in Mr. Ben-Gvir’s video may contravene international law. Janina Dill, a scholar specializing in the laws of war at Oxford University, highlighted that the Geneva Conventions specifically prohibit humiliating or degrading treatment of any individual detained within the context of an armed conflict.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the organization behind the protest campaign, stated that its objective was to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. The Israeli Navy intercepted their vessels in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 140 miles off the coast of Gaza. Activist groups have consistently contested Israel’s restrictions on goods and people entering and exiting Gaza for many years. These efforts have intensified particularly since Israel tightened its blockade, contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.
While participants in past flotillas have previously raised concerns about their treatment by Israeli authorities, it is highly unusual for a high-ranking Israeli government official to publicly display such footage involving the treatment of activists.
In the video, as Mr. Ben-Gvir walks past activists who appear to be forced into a kneeling position, he can be heard remarking, “Don’t get excited by their screaming.” The footage also shows a woman calling out “Free Palestine” being forcibly pushed to the ground by masked individuals.
Speaking directly into the camera in the video, Mr. Ben-Gvir stated that he had requested Prime Minister Netanyahu allow him to detain the activists “for a very very long time” in “prisons for terrorists.” As the minister whose portfolio includes oversight of the Israeli prison system, Mr. Ben-Gvir has previously made public statements about his efforts to impose harsher conditions for Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Reports have emerged detailing that a number of Palestinians released from Israeli jails over the past two years have appeared emaciated, with suggestions of physical abuse during their detention.
In related political developments, the Knesset voted on Wednesday to initiate the process of dissolving the government. This move could potentially advance the date of national elections by as much as a month from their currently scheduled October timeline. Mr. Ben-Gvir, whose political base largely consists of Israel’s most ardently nationalist voters, has a documented history of public actions that have generated controversy and drawn considerable attention.
Last year, for instance, he brought a television crew into an Israeli prison and was filmed addressing Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian prisoner who enjoys significant popularity among Palestinians.
Concurrently, the Israeli Supreme Court is considering a petition from the Attorney General, which seeks to compel Mr. Netanyahu to dismiss Mr. Ben-Gvir from his position as National Security Minister. The petition argues that Ben-Gvir has misused his authority to advance a specific right-wing political agenda, including through the politicization of the Israeli police force.
Why This Matters
This incident holds significant implications on multiple fronts. Domestically, it exposes deep divisions within Israel’s government and society, particularly concerning the approach to Palestinian activism and the rule of law. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s rare public rebuke of a key coalition partner highlights the tension between maintaining governmental stability and upholding what he described as “Israel’s values and norms.” Ben-Gvir’s unrepentant stance underscores the growing influence of hardline nationalist ideologies within the Israeli political landscape, challenging established diplomatic protocols and human rights standards.
Internationally, the video and subsequent reactions risk further isolating Israel on the global stage. Condemnations from European nations and calls for apologies, alongside concerns about violations of international law, could strain diplomatic relations and contribute to intensified scrutiny of Israel’s conduct, particularly amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The treatment of detainees and the public display of such actions raise serious questions about human rights, potentially impacting Israel’s standing with international bodies and allied nations.
Furthermore, the incident provides a stark illustration of the escalating rhetoric and actions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The “Freedom Flotilla” aimed to draw attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has worsened significantly since the October 7 attacks. Ben-Gvir’s characterization of activists as “terror supporters” and his call for their extended detention in “prisons for terrorists” signify an increasingly uncompromising approach to dissent and advocacy related to Palestinian issues. This hardline stance, coupled with Ben-Gvir’s control over the prison system and his history of controversial actions, suggests a potential for continued escalation in how Israel manages security and human rights concerns, with potential long-term consequences for stability in the region.