20.05.2026 17:00
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who ordered the arrest of activists from the Global Sumud Fleet under detention and said "This is how it should be done," faced backlash from within his own cabinet. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar slammed Gvir, saying, "You deliberately harmed the country in this disgraceful demonstration, and this is not the first time. You are not the face of Israel."
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attempted to provoke activists of the Global Sumud Fleet, who were unlawfully detained and mistreated by his country in international waters, at the Port of Usdud (Ashdod).
"YOU DELIBERATELY HARMED THE COUNTRY"
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's statement regarding the detained Global Sumud Fleet activists caused a crisis in the cabinet. Defending the arrest of the activists and saying "This is how it should be done," Ben-Gvir drew significant backlash from his own government.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar harshly targeted Ben-Gvir, saying, "In this shameful display, you deliberately harmed the country, and this is not the first time. You are not the face of Israel." Saar's words revealed the deep conflict within the cabinet.
HE DELIBERATELY PROVOKED SUMUD ACTIVISTS
Ben-Gvir shared footage on the social media account of the US-based company X, showing him visiting the Ashdod Port where the activists were held and Israeli security forces mistreating the activists.
In the footage, a female activist is seen shouting "Free Palestine" as Ben-Gvir passes, while Israeli police intervene harshly and force her to the ground. At that moment, the far-right Ben-Gvir is heard saying, "This is how it should be done."
Ben-Gvir is seen waving an Israeli flag at the location where the activists were held and trying to provoke them by shouting "Long live Israel."
In the footage Ben-Gvir shared with the message "Welcome to Israel," activists are seen kneeling with their hands cuffed and held collectively in one place at the port.
On May 18, the Israeli army carried out 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 toward Gaza, unlawfully detaining the activists. The fleet included 78 Turkish participants. The detained activists were taken to the Port of Usdud (Ashdod) in southern Israel.
ISRAELI ARMY'S ATTACKS ON THE GLOBAL SUMUD FLEET
The Global Sumud Fleet's Spring 2026 Mission, aiming to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver vital humanitarian aid, was subjected to 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 an attack in international waters, 600 nautical miles from Gaza, the Israeli army detained and mistreated 177 activists.
On May 18, the Israeli army carried out 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 toward Gaza, unlawfully detaining the activists. The fleet included 78 Turkish participants.
In August 2025, the Israeli army carried out a similar attack on the Global Sumud Fleet, which was heading to Gaza with more than 40 boats carrying 500 activists from over 44 countries.