A video of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that showed him taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists has drawn criticism from foreign leaders as well as members of his own government.
In the video, released Wednesday on social media, Mr. Ben-Gvir can be seen forcing a protester’s head to the floor of a boat after she yelled, “Free, free Palestine.”
In a statement released after the video, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has “every right” to prevent “provocative” flotillas of Hamas supporters from entering the country’s territorial waters and reaching the Gaza Strip.
“However, the way that Minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms,” Mr. Netanuyu said in a rare rebuke of one of his own Cabinet officers.
The activists were being held at the port of Ashdod after Israeli forces intercepted their flotilla on Tuesday. Dozens were forced to their knees with their hands bound behind them. The video showed Mr. Ben-Gvir, who is in charge of the country’s police forces, waving an Israeli flag and shouting at them.
“Anyone who comes to our territory to support terrorism and identify with Hamas will get slapped, and we won’t turn the other cheek,” Mr. Ben-Gvir said Wednesday on X.
The flotilla protestors included several European citizens. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called their treatment by Israeli security officers “unacceptable” and called it a violation of human dignity.
“The Italian government is immediately taking, at the highest institutional levels, all necessary steps to secure the immediate release of the Italian citizens involved,” Ms. Meloni said on X. “Italy further demands an apology for the treatment reserved to these demonstrators and for the total contempt shown toward the explicit requests of the Italian government.”
Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, said he summoned Israel’s ambassador to France to express his country’s indignation and to obtain an explanation for the events on the video.
“The safety of our compatriots is a constant priority,” Mr. Barrot said. “Whatever one thinks of the flotilla — and we have indicated on several occasions our disapproval of this initiative — our compatriots who are participating in it must be treated with respect and released as soon as possible.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused his fellow Cabinet member of damaging the country’s image with his “disgraceful performance.”
“You squandered enormous professional and successful efforts made by many, many people — from [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers to Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees and many other fine individuals,” Mr. Sa’ar said on X. “No, you are not the face of Israel.”
Mr. Ben-Gvir was undeterred by the public criticism from Israel’s top diplomat.
“There are those in the government who still haven’t figured out how to behave toward supporters of terrorism,” he said. “Israel’s foreign minister is expected to understand that Israel has stopped being a pushover.”
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