Anand summons Israeli envoy over ‘mistreatment’ of Canadians aboard flotilla

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir caused a severe international diplomatic crisis and internal conflict within the Israeli government on Wednesday when he visited a facility at the Ashdod Port holding detained Gaza flotilla activists.

Video released by Ben-Gvir showed the minister walking among some of the approximately 430 detained activists flanked by police and soldiers as he waved a large Israeli flag and told them “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords.” One handcuffed activist shown in the video shouting “Free Palestine” as Ben-Gvir was walking past was immediately pushed to the ground by security personnel.

The video shows the activists kneeling on a metal floor in an unshaded area while Israel's anthem is playing and armed Border Police officers watch.

Itamar Ben Gvir was criticised by politicians in both Israel and around the world for the ‘unacceptable’ treatment of the activists