Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir published a video in which he appears to mock Gaza flotilla activists who were detained at sea and taken to the Port of Ashdod.

Dozens of international activists are seen kneeling on the ground with their hands tied. The video begins with one activist shouting “Free Palestine” before police officers drag them away from the minister during his visit to the facilities.

With dozens of activists tied up and kneeling, Ben-Gvir is seen raising a large Israeli flag and shouting in Hebrew: “Welcome to Israel, we are the owners here.” The minister also addresses Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: “I say to the Prime Minister — give them to us for a long time, let’s put them in terrorist prisons.”

In another scene, the activists are shown on the deck of a ship while Israel’s national anthem is heard playing. In other parts of the video, the minister argues with a man and comments “this is how it should be done” when another tied-up man appears on screen.

The activists are being held at the Port of Ashdod after Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that the latest flotilla mission aimed at breaking the naval blockade of Gaza “had come to an end,” with participants transferred to Israel.

Among the more than 400 activists from 45 countries aboard the ship was the sister of Ireland’s president, Catherine Connolly. Israel described the flotilla mission as a “pro-Hamas propaganda operation.”

“You harmed the country”: Israel’s Foreign Minister attacks Ben-Gvir

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, strongly criticized Ben-Gvir over the footage he released:

“You knowingly caused damage to the country with this disgraceful behavior, and not for the first time — you are not the face of Israel.”

Sa’ar also referred to the international consequences of the publication:

“You have destroyed the enormous, professional, and successful efforts made by many people — from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others.”

It is worth mentioning that no humanitarian aid was found inside the ships of the flotilla while there is another video showing the arrested activists hugging, smiling and joking with each other.

Italian government summons Israeli ambassador for explanations

The Italian government described Israel’s treatment of the Gaza flotilla activists as unacceptable and announced that it would summon the Israeli ambassador for explanations.

In a sharply worded statement, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that Italy “demands an apology for the treatment” of the activists and condemned the “complete lack of respect” shown toward requests made by the Italian government.

“The images involving Israeli minister Ben-Gvir are unacceptable. It is unacceptable that these demonstrators, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to treatment that violates their human dignity,” the statement said.