Australian Foreign Minister Summons Israeli Ambassador Over Video Mocking Flotilla Detainees

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to call in Israel’s ambassador to Australia, following international condemnation over a video mocking the capture of pro-Palestinian activists.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted to X a video of activists zip-tied and forced to kneel on the ground.

Organisers say the flotilla of about 54 boats was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israel has alleged the group has links to Hamas, which Australia designates as a terrorist organisation.

More than 400 activists from 39 countries were on board, including 11 Australians.

‘Shocking and Unacceptable’

In the video titled “Welcome to Israel,” Ben-Gvir speaks directly to the camera in Hebrew.

“With great pride, big heroes,” he said. “Look at how they look now, not heroes, not anything.”

The footage shows a detained woman shouting “free, free Palestine” as she is placed into a seated position by authorities. The camera then pans across a group of kneeling detainees with their hands tied behind their backs.

ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור

Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026

Senator Wong said Australia’s ambassador to Israel had made formal representations to the Israeli government over the footage, and she called for the immediate release of any Australian citizens.

“The images we have seen posted by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir—who Australia has sanctioned—are shocking and unacceptable,” she said.

“We condemn his actions and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained.”

The federal government sanctioned Ben-Gvir in 2025, stating at the time that he had incited violence against Palestinians in the West Bank by supporting the creation of Israeli regions in the disputed territory.

Netanyahu Criticises Colleague

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who sits in Israel’s conservative party, was critical of Ben-Gvir’s approach.

“Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza,” he said.

“However, the way that Minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.

“I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.”

Israel has maintained it never endangered members of the flotilla and no live ammunition was used in apprehending the members.

Ben-Gvir, a member of Israel’s right-wing nationalist movement, defended the video, saying Israel was not acting strongly enough against what he termed supporters of terrorism.

“Israel’s foreign minister is expected to understand that Israel has stopped being a pushover,” he wrote on X.

“Anyone who comes to our territory to support terrorism and identify with Hamas will get slapped, and we won’t turn the other cheek.”