New Zealand Foreign Minister Condemns Itamar Ben-Gvir Over Kiwis Been Arrested.

Auckland; May 2026: A video posted by Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing him taunting detained flotilla activists, drew international condemnation today (Thursday – 21st May 2026). The video showed kneeling activists, with their hands zip tied, while Ben-Gvir shouted “they came as big heroes, see how they look now, not heroes, nothing, terror supporters”. Ben-Gvir also said he’s told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “give them to me for more much time, give them to us for the terrorist prisons, this is how it should look”.

Israel’s far-right national security minister has posted a video showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground, sparking international condemnation. The video, shared on X by firebrand minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Wednesday (local time), was published after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla’s vessels at sea and began detaining hundreds of foreign activists at the southern port of Ashdod.

The video drew swift international uproar, while Ben Gvir himself was criticised by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. “I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs (activists) as soon as possible”, Netanyahu said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also slammed Ben Gvir on X, saying he had “knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display and not for the first time”. But Ben Gvir hit back at Saar, saying: “I am proud to be the minister in charge of the organisations that operated today against those supporters of terror. Yes, there will be all sorts of pictures that Gideon Saar does not like, but I think they are a great source of pride”, he added at parliament.

Captioned “Welcome to Israel”, the footage shows dozens of activists forced to kneel with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground. At some points, the Israeli national anthem can he heard playing in the background. The footage also shows Ben Gvir heckling and waving an Israeli flag among the detained activists.

Last year, New Zealand have placed a travel ban on Minister Ben-Gvir for severely and deliberately undermining peace and security and removing prospects for a two state solution.

The US, the UK, France, Italy and Canada were among the countries which expressed alarm at the video, which Ben-Gvir shared on social media. A global pro-Palestinian movement said three New Zealanders were detained by Israel after their boats were intercepted while taking part in a flotilla to Gaza. The Global Sumud Flotilla had repeatedly tried to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Palestinian territory. In a statement, the group said New Zealanders Mousa Taher, Hāhona Ormsby and Julien Blondel were now in Israeli custody. It said Mousa and Julien had returned to the flotilla after an earlier interception.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed 03 New Zealanders were participating in the flotilla. It said concerns had been set out directly and clearly to the ambassador this morning. “New Zealand has been very clear we expect Israel to adhere to its international legal obligations. This includes its treatment of the three New Zealanders participating in the flotilla”, the statement said. “The safety of New Zealanders is paramount”.

MFAT was in contact with the family members of those involved and was providing consular support.

New Zealand had a long-standing do not travel advisory in place for Gaza. “The advisory explicitly warns New Zealanders against any attempt to enter Gaza by sea in breach of Israeli Navy restrictions, including participation in flotillas to deliver aid”, the ministry said.

Team Maverick.