Netanyahu rebukes Israeli minister for treatment of Gaza flotilla activists
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized his national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, for his treatment of pro-Palestinian flotilla activists. Videos surfaced showing Ben-Gvir mocking the detained activists, which led to backlash from both Israeli officials and foreign leaders. Netanyahu defended the interception of the flotilla but stated that Ben-Gvir's actions did not align with Israel's values.
- ▪Netanyahu rebuked Ben-Gvir after videos showed him mocking detained flotilla activists.
- ▪Ben-Gvir's actions drew criticism from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and foreign leaders from Italy and France.
- ▪Legal advocacy group Adalah accused Israeli authorities of a pattern of abuse against activists in previous flotilla missions.
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World Netanyahu rebukes Israeli minister after video shows degrading treatment of Gaza flotilla activists May 20, 2026 / 12:41 PM EDT / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a rare rebuke to his national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, after videos emerged online showing Ben-Gvir's treatment of pro-Palestinian flotilla activists. The clip, posted by Ben-Gvir, shows him mocking activists as they're corralled in the custody of Israeli security personnel. The far-right government minister, who has been sanctioned by U.S. allies for inciting violence against Palestinians, is seen in one clip that he posted walking among some of the approximately 430 detained Sumud Global Flotilla activists with police and soldiers.
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