Netanyahu: “This Does Not Reflect the Values of Israel”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly broke with one of his own ministers this week after footage emerged showing Gaza flotilla activists kneeling and bound with their hands tied behind their backs at the port of Ashdod.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted the video on May 20, showing dozens of detainees on their knees side by side while Israel's national anthem played in the background. Ben-Gvir held a large Israeli flag in the clip and captioned it: "This is how we welcome supporters of terrorism. Welcome to Israel."
"This is how we welcome supporters of terrorism. Welcome to Israel." — Ben-Gvir
Netanyahu pushed back publicly, stating that Israel has every right to stop what he called "provocative missions by Hamas supporters" from reaching Gaza by sea. But he said Ben-Gvir's handling of the activists did not align with Israel's values and standards, and called for their immediate deportation.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also went after Ben-Gvir, saying he was causing damage to the State of Israel and did not represent the country's face.
More than 400 activists from 45 countries are currently being held at Ashdod after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla. Among those detained is the sister of the Irish president, Catherine Connolly. Israel's Foreign Ministry has described the mission as a propaganda operation in support of Hamas.
Italy's government came out sharply against the footage. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani issued a joint statement condemning the images, calling them a violation of human dignity and a sign of disrespect toward Italy's requests. Italy said it would summon the Israeli ambassador for an explanation.
