Israeli minister sparks outcry over video of bound flotilla activists

Israel's far-right national security minister posted a video on May 20 showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs and foreheads on the ground, sparking condemnation and calls for their swift deportation.



The video, shared on X by firebrand minister Itamar Ben Gvir, was published after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla's vessels at sea and began detaining hundreds of foreign activists at the southern port of Ashdod.



The video drew swift condemnation from Italy, while Mr Ben Gvir himself was criticised by Israel's own foreign minister and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.



Captioned "Welcome to Israel", the footage shows dozens of activists on the deck of a military boat kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground with the Israeli national anthem playing in the background.



The footage also shows Mr Ben Gvir heckling and waving an Israeli flag amongst the detained activists.