[69080] A wave of international condemnation against Minister Ben Gvir following footage of the 'Freedom Flotilla' activists' arrest
[69080] A wave of international condemnation against Minister Ben Gvir following footage of the 'Freedom Flotilla' activists' arrest
Many countries around the world, including Australia, Spain, and Italy, have condemned the conduct of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the Israeli authorities toward activists of an aid flotilla to the Gaza Strip.
A wave of harsh international criticism was leveled today (May 21, 2026) at National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, following the release of a video from the port of Ashdod in which the minister is seen participating in the arrest process of 'Freedom Flotilla' activists. According to reports by the Al-Mayadeen media collective, known for a hostile line toward Israeli policy, the Australian Foreign Minister defined the footage as "shocking and unacceptable" and added that Australia condemns Israel's "humiliating treatment" of the detainees.
At the same time, the Sputnik news agency reports that the Spanish Foreign Ministry summoned the head of the Israeli embassy for a formal protest, defining Israel's conduct toward the activists as "brutal." According to the report, Minister Ben Gvir is seen in the video mocking the activists in territorial waters, while his faction members express a firm position on the issue of Israeli sovereignty. The governments of Italy and New Zealand also expressed formal protest, with the New Zealand Foreign Minister claiming that Ben Gvir's actions constitute a "deliberate and dangerous undermining of peace and security."
TRT Arabic network reported that British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed deep shock at the video, in which Minister Ben Gvir is seen taunting the participants of the flotilla. At the same time, Shehab Agency, which reflects firm Palestinian positions, reported that Indonesia also joined the condemnations, using the term "inhumane actions" to describe the arrests.
In additional reports coming from Beirut Time media channel, it is claimed that another minister in the Israeli government also expressed public support for this conduct. The Arab media emphasizes the severity of the events and presents them as part of a broad movement of suppressing international activists seeking to reach the Gaza Strip.