Aid activists describe abuse by Ben-Gvir

May 21, 2026

A Gaza aid flotilla was intercepted by Israel, and a video of the detained activists being humiliated by minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is causing serious PR damage to Israel.

  • A flotilla of about 50 boats carrying food and medical aid to Gaza was stopped by Israel, and the activists were detained, beaten, and forced to kneel in a bowing position.
  • Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, posted a video mocking them and calling them terrorist supporters, urging Netanyahu to lock them up longer.
  • Netanyahu doubled down, calling the activists Hamas supporters, while the foreign ministry tried damage control by claiming no aid was found on the boats.
  • Even inside Israel there is backlash — Haaretz journalist Josh Breiner warned the video has spread worldwide and made Israelis look monstrous in the mirror.
  • A Knesset member, Yitzhak Kroizer, openly said there are no innocent civilians or children in Jenin and he feels no mercy for Palestinians, showing how mainstream this view has become.

Outlook: The video is spreading fast and will keep hurting Israel's image abroad, but the current Israeli government shows no sign of changing course.

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