20.05.2026 15:31
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tried to provoke the detained Global Sumud Fleet activists, including Turks, at the Port of Ashdod. Moments when Israeli police intervened harshly after a female activist shouted "Free Palestine" in Ben-Gvir's face were captured on camera. Then, Ben-Gvir was heard saying, "That's how it should be done." Images of activists being held handcuffed and forced to kneel drew backlash.
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tried to provoke activists of the Global Sumud Fleet, who were unlawfully detained and mistreated by his country in international waters, at the Port of Ashdod.
ISRAELI TORTURE OF DETAINED ACTIVISTS
Ben-Gvir shared a video on the social media account of the US-based X company showing him going to the Ashdod Port where the activists were held and Israeli security forces mistreating the activists.
SHOUTED "FREE PALESTINE" AT BEN-GVIR'S FACE
In the footage, a female activist is heard shouting "Free Palestine" during Ben-Gvir's passage, and Israeli police are seen violently intervening and forcing her to the ground. At this moment, far-right Ben-Gvir is heard saying, "That's how it should be done."
FORCED TO KNEEL HANDCUFFED
Ben-Gvir is seen waving an Israeli flag at the location where the activists were held, trying to provoke them by shouting "Long live Israel."
In the footage shared by Ben-Gvir with the message "Welcome to Israel," activists are seen being held collectively at a place in the port, forced to kneel with their hands handcuffed.
TURKS ALSO AMONG DETAINED ACTIVISTS
The Israeli army launched a new attack on the fleet consisting of a total of 50 boats carrying 428 activists from 44 countries while they were sailing in international waters towards Gaza on May 18, illegally detaining the activists. The fleet included 78 Turkish participants.
The detained activists were taken to the Port of Ashdod in southern Israel.
ISRAELI ARMY'S ATTACKS ON THE GLOBAL SUMUD FLEET
The Global Sumud Fleet's 2026 Spring Mission, aiming to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver vital humanitarian aid, had faced an unlawful intervention by the Israeli army on the night of April 29, a few nautical miles outside Greek territorial waters off the coast of Crete Island.
In its attack in international waters, 600 nautical miles from Gaza, the Israeli army detained and mistreated 177 activists.
The Israeli army launched a new attack on the fleet consisting of a total of 50 boats carrying 428 activists from 44 countries while they were sailing in international waters towards Gaza on May 18, illegally detaining the activists. The fleet included 78 Turkish participants.
In August 2025, the Israeli army had carried out a similar attack on the Global Sumud Fleet, which was heading to Gaza with over 40 boats carrying 500 activists from more than 44 countries.