Israel’s Far-Right Security Minister Filmed Himself Taunting The Abducted Global Sumud Flotilla Activists

Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir filmed himself taunting and mocking detained Global Sumud Flotilla activists after Israel intercepted the flotilla and abducted more than 400 activists in international waters.

The Global Sumud Flotilla formed in July 2025, when several activist groups merged into a single coordinated mission in an effort to try to break Israel’s siege on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.

In September 2025, it set sail for the first time from Barcelona, Spain, with more than 40 boats and about 462 people, but Israel intercepted several flotilla boats about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast and detained and deported all 462 activists.

The Global Sumud Flotilla sailed again from Turkey with more than 400 activists on over 54 boats on May 14.

But by Tuesday, May 19, Israeli forces once again intercepted all the boats in international waters and detained hundreds of activists on board.

Israeli forces abducted and detained 428 activists in total, including Dr. Margaret Connolly, a 67-year-old doctor and the sister of Ireland’s president, Catherine Connolly, before forcibly transporting them to Israel.

On Wednesday, May 20, Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself taunting the activists with a caption saying, “This is how we accept the supporters of terrorism. Welcome to Israel.”

According to a report by Israel's public broadcaster Kan, the Israel Prisons Service commissioner — a close ally of Ben Gvir — approved Ben-Gvir’s visit, as well as Israeli forces restraining, forcing the activists to kneel and blasting Hebrew music at them.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the interception of the flotilla was justified, but that Ben Gvir's treatment of activists was "not in line with Israel's values and norms."

At least 87 flotilla participants announced they were beginning a hunger strike in protest to their "illegal abduction," and in solidarity with Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

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