National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a video on Wednesday in which he is seen taunting activists from a Gaza flotilla intercepted by Israel, immediately sparking international outcry.

Dozens of activists can be seen in the clip forced to kneel on the ground, with their hands tied at an Ashdod port facility where they were being processed ahead of their likely deportation.

Those aboard the flotilla intercepted by Israel earlier this week included Italian and Spanish nationals, whose governments said they would summon the respective Israeli ambassadors in their countries for a reprimand over Ben Gvir’s behavior. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare rebuke of the far-right cabinet member he appointed, insisting that the national security minister’s conduct was not in line with Israel’s values.

The video begins with a female activist shouting “Free Palestine,” before being grabbed by the head and shoved to the ground by officers who dragged her out of Ben Gvir’s way, as he toured the facility.

The treatment of the detainees mirrored how security forces handle the most severe terrorists in the prisons overseen by Ben Gvir’s office, which have also faced allegations of abuse.

With dozens of bound activists kneeling on the ground, Ben Gvir is seen waving a large Israeli flag and shouting in Hebrew, “Welcome to Israel! We are in charge here!”

Another shot pans through the kneeling activists, as Israel’s national anthem is blasted over a loudspeaker. Ben Gvir is subsequently seen shouting “Am Yisrael Chai” (the nation of Israel lives) at a bound detainee trying to argue with him.

Ben Gvir is also heard urging guards at the facility “not [to] be bothered by their screams,” as a woman can be heard crying out in the background.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the clip “unacceptable,” taking issue with the treatment of activists that violated their human dignity. Italy’s foreign ministry said a member of the country’s parliament and a journalist were among those detained.

Meloni wrote on X that her government was taking immediate steps at the highest levels to secure the release of all........

© The Times of Israel