Netanyahu scolds Israeli security minister for videos taunting flotilla activists

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Middle East Netanyahu scolds Israeli security minister for videos taunting flotilla activists May 21, 20262:29 AM ET By The Associated Press Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir in the Israeli parliament, during a session considering a bill to dissolve the government in Jerusalem, Wednesday, May 20,2026. Ohad Zwigenberg/AP hide caption toggle caption Ohad Zwigenberg/AP JERUSALEM — Israel's national security minister drew a sharp rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and triggered a backlash abroad Wednesday, after releasing videos taunting detained flotilla activists who tried to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, telling them they should be imprisoned for a long time. Middle East conflict The U.

threatens to revoke the Palestinian U. ambassador's visa Netanyahu said that although Israel has every right to stop "provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters," the way National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir dealt with the activists was "not in line with Israel's values and norms. " Ben-Gvir released videos Wednesday showing him walking among some of the approximately 430 detainees.

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In one, activists with their hands tied behind their backs are kneeling, their heads touching the floor inside what appears to be a makeshift detention area and on the deck of a ship. Sponsor Message "Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords," says Ben-Gvir, waving a large Israeli flag. One handcuffed activist shouts "Free Palestine" as Ben-Gvir walks by and is immediately pushed to the ground by security personnel.

In another video, Ben-Gvir says the activists "came here all full of pride like big heroes. Look at them now," while appealing to Netanyahu to grant him permission to imprison them. Israel's leader calls for quick deportation of activists "I say to Prime Minister Netanyahu, give them to me for a long, long time, give them to us for the terrorist prisons," Ben-Gvir said.

Netanyahu said he's given instructions that the activists be deported "as soon as possible. " Ben-Gvir drew the ire of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who publicly chastised his fellow minister on X, saying "you knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display. " "No, you are not the face of Israel," Saar wrote.

Ben-Gvir shot back at Saar in the Israeli parliament, accusing him of "bowing to the terrorists" and that any Israeli apology to the activists would send a message of "weakness," "submission" and "surrender. " Israel accused of humiliating activists An Israel-based legal advocacy group, the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, or Adalah, accused Israeli authorities of "employing a criminal policy of abuse and humiliation against activists. " Sponsor Message Adalah's statement said this followed similar patterns of ill-treatment by Israeli authorities against activists in previous flotilla missions "for which Israel faced zero accountability.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.