Israeli police have come under criticism after footage showed activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs following their detention by Israeli forces.
The activists were stopped at sea on Tuesday (19 May) after their flotilla, which had departed from southern Türkiye, attempted to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid. The group was later taken to an Israeli port.
Organisers said around 430 people from 40 countries were on board the flotilla, including citizens from Italy and South Korea. The mission was part of a renewed effort to deliver aid to the Strip, where humanitarian organisations say supplies remain limited despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been in place since October 2025.
Israel maintains that its naval blockade of Gaza is lawful.
The controversy intensified after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video on X showing police officers forcing one activist to the ground after she shouted “Free, free Palestine”.
The footage also showed dozens of activists kneeling in rows outdoors with their hands restrained by zip ties, while armed personnel stood nearby.
“They came as big heroes,” Ben-Gvir said in the video while carrying a large Israeli flag. “Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything.”
The minister’s comments prompted criticism both internationally and within Israel’s own government.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ben-Gvir of damaging Israel’s image, saying, “You have undone tremendous, professional, and successful efforts made by so many people - from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s decision to intercept the flotilla but distanced himself from the treatment shown in the video. He said the conduct was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms” and added that the activists should be deported quickly.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said images showing Ben-Gvir taunting members of the flotilla were “unacceptable”.
“We will not tolerate anyone mistreating our citizens,” Sánchez said on X, adding that Spain would push for Ben-Gvir’s entry ban to be urgently extended across the European Union.
EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas also condemned the incident, saying the treatment of activists, including EU citizens, was “degrading and wrong”.
“Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir’s conduct is unbecoming of anyone holding office in a democracy,” she added.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Canada would summon the Israeli ambassador following the video.
“What we've seen, including the video shared by Itamar Ben-Gvir, is deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable,” she said. “This is a matter of humane treatment of civilians, and I can assure you that we are acting with absolute urgency.”
Poland’s Foreign Minister said on Thursday he had summoned the Israeli chargé d’affaires over the detention of activists, including Polish nationals, demanding their immediate release and an apology.
"Poland firmly condemns the conduct of representatives of the Israeli authorities towards activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla detained by the Israeli army, including Polish citizens," Radoslaw Sikorski said on X.
Several countries, including France, Canada, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, also summoned Israeli diplomats over the incident.
The activists were aboard a flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces on Tuesday which they said was in international waters. They were then taken to an Israeli port. Rights groups said detainees were being held at Ashdod port, with legal teams providing assistance and demanding their release.
Israeli rights organisation Adalah said lawyers had entered the port to support detainees and press for their “immediate and unconditional release”.
Flotilla organisers said participants were expected to be transferred to Ketziot prison in southern Israel.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains severe, with large parts of the population displaced and living in temporary shelters or damaged buildings. Israel denies restricting aid supplies to Gaza.
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