Italy Summons Israeli Envoy After Ben-Gvir Posts Video Of Gaza Flotilla Activists Kneeling With Hands Tied

Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador on Wednesday after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing detained Gaza flotilla activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs aboard an Israeli military vessel.

The footage, shared on Ben-Gvir’s X account with the caption “Welcome to Israel”, showed dozens of activists kneeling on the deck while Israel’s national anthem played in the background.

Ben-Gvir was also seen waving an Israeli flag during a visit to the detention facility where the activists were being held.

The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a Gaza-bound aid convoy that organisers said included 428 people from 44 countries.

The flotilla had departed from the Turkish district of Marmaris in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza.

ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור

Welcome to Israel pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026

Italy strongly criticised the treatment of the activists, including Italian citizens detained during the operation.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the footage as “unacceptable” and said the treatment violated human dignity.

“The images of Israeli Minister Ben Gvir are unacceptable,” the Italian government said in a joint statement.

Italy said it was taking immediate action to secure the release of Italian citizens involved and demanded an apology from Israel over the treatment of the activists and what it called disregard for Rome’s requests.

The Italian Foreign Ministry said it would immediately summon the Israeli ambassador to seek formal clarification over the incident.

The flotilla activists were reportedly taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod before being transferred to Ketziot prison in the Negev desert.

Le immagini del ministro israeliano Ben Gvir sono inaccettabili. È inammissibile che questi manifestanti, fra cui molti cittadini italiani, vengano sottoposti a questo trattamento lesivo della dignità della persona.
Il Governo italiano sta immediatamente compiendo, ai più alti…

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 20, 2026

Some activists and legal groups alleged mistreatment during and after the interception, including claims that Israeli forces fired on the vessels. Israel denied using live ammunition during the operation.

The incident also drew criticism from within Israel’s government.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticised Ben-Gvir, saying the minister had damaged Israel’s image through a “disgraceful display”.

“You knowingly caused harm to our State,” Sa’ar wrote on X, adding that Ben-Gvir was “not the face of Israel”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticised the handling of the activists and said he had instructed authorities to deport them as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza.

However, the way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with…

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 20, 2026

“The way minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms,” Netanyahu said.

Spain also condemned Israel over the treatment of the detained activists, describing the actions as “monstrous”.

Palestinian group Hamas condemned the footage released by Ben-Gvir and described it as evidence of the “moral depravity” of Israeli leaders.

The incident adds to growing tensions surrounding maritime access to Gaza, where Israel has enforced a naval blockade since 2007.

Rights groups and flotilla organisers argue the blockade amounts to collective punishment, while Israel says the restrictions are necessary for security reasons.

The Global Sumud Flotilla operation was not the first such incident. In late April, flotilla organisers said Israeli forces attacked aid vessels in international waters near the Greek island of Crete during another attempt to reach Gaza.

References: trtworld, middleeastmonitor