Scandal in Ashdod: Ben-Gvir humiliated ‘Sumud’ activists and received a blow immediately from the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the army

Ben-Gvir’s visit to Ashdod port turned into a political scandal

Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir found himself at the center of a new loud scandal on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, after a visit to the port of Ashdod, where detained activists of the ‘Sumud’ flotilla were brought. Formally, it was about people who tried to break the naval blockade of Gaza. But the main event of the day was not the IDF Navy operation itself, but the behavior of the minister, who decided to film his own ‘performance’ in front of the detainees.

In the footage he published, Ben-Gvir is seen treating the activists demonstratively rudely. In one episode, he forcibly lowers the head of a female activist after her shout ‘Free, free Palestine’ and throws at her: ‘Shut up.’ In another video, the minister waves an Israeli flag and shouts to the flotilla participants: ‘Welcome to Israel! We are the masters here.’

The most resonant was the third fragment: Ben-Gvir sings ‘Hatikva’ standing over the activists, who were put on their knees with their hands tied with plastic ties.

For the Israeli audience, this story is important not only as another conflict around Ben-Gvir. It shows how quickly one political scene can cross out a carefully built state line: Israel has the right to defend the naval blockade of Gaza, but the way of handling the detainees becomes a separate topic for international pressure.

Netanyahu and Sa’ar distanced themselves from the minister

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted quite restrainedly, but the meaning of his statement was clear. He emphasized that Israel has every right not to allow provocative flotillas of Hamas supporters into its territorial waters. However, he immediately added that Ben-Gvir’s behavior towards the flotilla participants does not correspond to the values and norms of the State of Israel.

At the same time, Netanyahu ordered the detained activists to be deported as quickly as possible. That is, the legal and operational line remained the same: Israel does not intend to allow the blockade to be broken. But the prime minister publicly separated this position from the personal show of the Minister of National Security.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke much harsher. He wrote to Ben-Gvir that he deliberately damaged the state with a ‘shameful performance’ — and did so, according to Sa’ar, not for the first time.

In the context of international reaction, such formulations sound especially sharp. Sa’ar essentially accused his cabinet colleague of nullifying the work of many professional structures — from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry employees. The Foreign Minister concluded with a short phrase: ‘You are not the face of Israel.’

Ben-Gvir responded in his usual manner. He accused Sa’ar of indulging ‘terror accomplices’ and stated that Israel will no longer be a ‘punching bag’ and does not intend to turn the other cheek.

Why the army is also dissatisfied

Particular irritation was caused by the fact that the IDF Navy had prepared its own information line in advance. During the interception of the ships, operators worked together with the ‘Shayetet 13’ special forces, filming the operation in real time.

The army’s press service planned to show the world that the soldiers acted restrainedly, professionally, and respectfully. For Israel, this was important: in such stories, the international audience often sees only the final footage of the detention, not the context of the naval blockade, security risks, and attempts at political provocation.

That is why the scene staged by Ben-Gvir in Ashdod hit not only the image of the minister himself but also the overall state position. Nikk.Agency — Israel News | Nikk.Agency in such situations draws attention to a key detail: the dispute here is not about Israel’s right to stop such flotillas, but about who and how represents the country after the operation is completed.

According to ‘Kan 11’, an anonymous military source directly accused Ben-Gvir of using his ministerial status to get into the guarded territory of the detention center and stage a provocation for attention.

International reaction: Italy and South Korea demand explanations

The scandal quickly went beyond Israel. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the summoning of the Israeli ambassador ‘for explanations’ and demanded apologies for the treatment of the activists. Among the detainees, as reported, were many Italian citizens, and Rome could not ignore the footage from Ashdod.

The reaction from South Korea was even harsher. President Lee Jae-myung stated that Israel ‘illegally and in violation of international law’ kidnapped a citizen of his country. He called the actions of the Israeli side ‘excessive’ and ‘completely inappropriate.’

For Israel, this is an unpleasant diplomatic background. Even if the flotilla itself was considered in Jerusalem as a provocative action in favor of Hamas, public footage of the humiliation of the detainees provides critics of Israel with convenient material. And this is exactly what the army and the Foreign Ministry tried to avoid.

What happened with the ‘Sumud’ flotilla

The main part of the Turkish ‘Sumud’ flotilla was intercepted by the IDF Navy about two days before Ben-Gvir’s scandalous visit to Ashdod. This was already the third attempt to break the naval blockade of Gaza.

The interception took place about 400 kilometers west of Cyprus. After that, the detainees were brought to the port of Ashdod, where they were visited by the Minister of National Security.

From a military point of view, the operation was presented as controlled and professional. From a political point of view, its consequences became much more complicated precisely after the publication of Ben-Gvir’s videos.

The main damage — not only diplomatic

The story in Ashdod once again raised the question of the boundary between tough state policy and political spectacle. Israel can insist on security, the blockade of Gaza, and the prevention of actions related to Hamas. But when a minister turns detained people into a backdrop for his own video, the dispute shifts to another plane.

Now Israeli diplomats will have to explain not only the interception of the flotilla but also the footage spread by a government member. For Israel’s opponents, this is a gift. For the army and the Foreign Ministry — extra work. For Netanyahu — another internal crisis, in which it is necessary to simultaneously maintain the coalition and not allow Ben-Gvir to become the sole face of the country on the international stage.