Israeli minister Ben-Gvir TAUNTING Flotilla activists detained after an “ACT OF PIRACY” vs Gaza-bound HUMANITARIAN AID Boats (Video)
UPDATE ON MAY, 21,2026
Footage shows Israeli minister Ben-Gvir taunting flotilla activists detained in Israel
Israeli police on Wednesday (May 20) forced detained activists who were aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to kneel on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their backs while a minister looked on, drawing criticism from foreign leaders and even from inside Israel’s own government.
After police detained the activists, who organisers said numbered 430 people including citizens of Italy and South Korea, Israel’s far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on X showing officers forcing a detained activist to the ground after she chants “Free, free Palestine”.
The video also showed dozens of detained activists kneeling in rows with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, in what appears to be an outdoor Israeli port facility. In the background, soldiers armed with long guns could be seen patrolling the area from aboard a military vessel.
“They came as big heroes,” Ben Gvir said in the video as he walked by the activists while carrying a large Israeli flag. “Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything.” Reuters verified the ship seen in the video by its deck structure, bridge, stairs and container which matched Reuters footage of the vessel that arrived in Ashdod port on May 20 and was reportedly carrying foreign activists.
Reuters could not independently confirm that the vessel was carrying foreign activists, but the facial hair and features of some people under arrest matched visuals of some participants on the Global Sumud Flotilla. The date was not verified, but no older version of the video was found posted online before
May 20. Reuters verified the location as Ashdod port in Israel from the white structure, which matched another video verified by Reuters from the same location. The date when the video was filmed was not verified, but no older version of the video was found posted online before May 20. The activists were aboard a flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Tuesday (May 19) and later taken to an Israeli port.
(video Production: Catherine Cartier, Tansy Liu, Lara Afghani for ABC-CBN News)
POSTED ON MAY, 19,2026
Ten Countries Condemn Israel’s Attack as “ACT OF PIRACY” vs Gaza-bound Humanitarian Global Flotilla U
The foreign ministers of ten countries have strongly condemned Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a peaceful civilian humanitarian mission attempting to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza and deliver aid to the Palestinian people.
In a joint statement released on Monday, the ministers of Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Spain, Colombia, Libya, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Jordan said they viewed with “deep concern” Israel’s repeated interventions against aid missions in international waters.
“These attacks, including assaults on vessels and the arbitrary detention of activists, constitute a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law,” the statement read.
The ministers called for the immediate release of all detained activists and for full respect for their rights and dignity, urging the global community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities to protect civilians and humanitarian missions.
Flotilla intercepted; activists ‘abducted’
Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla on Monday in international waters west of Cyprus, about 70 nautical miles off the island.
Organizers said 10 boats from a 60‑vessel convoy were attacked and boarded, with around 100 activists detained, including 96 Turkish participants and nationals from 39 other countries such as the US, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
“The Israeli occupation has again illegally and violently intercepted our international fleet of humanitarian vessels and abducted our volunteers,” the Global Sumud Flotilla wrote on X, demanding the swift release of all detainees and an end to the blockade of Gaza.
The flotilla had set sail from the Turkish Mediterranean district of Marmaris on Thursday, carrying more than 420 participants.
Its mission was to draw international attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and break the Israeli blockade imposed since 2007.
International outcry
Turkish officials slammed the interception as a “new act of piracy.”
Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned the action, stating that “no Israeli agent has any jurisdiction in those waters.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the world should not “continue to bow to oppression,” demanding the immediate release of all detained activists, including 16 Malaysians.
“The persecution of Palestinians and humanitarian activists must end immediately,” he said, stressing that Israel “must face justice and accountability.”
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Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim denounced the assault as “state terrorism and systematic undermining of the entire international order.”
The interception marks the second such attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla in less than a month.
On April 29, Israeli forces attacked the aid mission off the coast of the Greek island of Crete, deporting the activists on board.
Israel’s decades-long blockade of Gaza has led to widespread shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies, with international aid organizations repeatedly warning of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Originally oublished by Iranian Press TV
