Italy and Canada summoned Israeli ambassadors on Wednesday to demand explanations over the humiliating treatment of their citizens detained after Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, as outrage mounted over a viral video showing bound activists forced to kneel in stress positions. The widely circulated footage also showed international activists with their hands tied and their foreheads pressed to the ground.
International Backlash Over Detainee Humiliation Video
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir drew widespread criticism after sharing the video of himself inside the detention facility mocking the captives. Critics, foreign governments, and human rights organizations accused Ben-Gvir of openly glorifying and celebrating the mistreatment of the detained activists.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a sharp condemnation of the incident, describing the images as “unacceptable” and the treatment of demonstrators, including several Italian citizens, as a violation of human dignity.
“The Italian Government is immediately taking, at the highest institutional levels, all necessary steps to secure the immediate release of the Italian citizens involved,” Meloni said in a statement posted on social media.
Italy also demanded a formal apology over the treatment of the demonstrators and what Meloni described as Israel’s “total contempt” for requests made by the Italian government.
For these reasons, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will immediately summon the Israeli ambassador to seek formal clarification over the incident, Meloni added.
Canada Slams ‘Unacceptable’ Treatment of Flotilla Activists
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also strongly condemned what he called the “abominable” treatment of civilians aboard the flotilla.
Carney stated that Canada’s foreign minister had instructed officials to summon the Israeli ambassador to seek immediate assurances regarding the safety and wellbeing of Canadian citizens detained during the operation.
The Canadian prime minister further noted that Canada had already imposed sanctions on Ben-Gvir, including asset freezes and a travel ban, in response to his repeated incitement to violence. Carney stressed that the protection of civilians and respect for human dignity “must be upheld everywhere and at all times.”
Flotilla Intercepted in International Waters
The growing diplomatic backlash follows Israel’s interception of the flotilla, a civilian-led mission attempting to challenge the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
Organizers from the Global Sumud Flotilla condemned the military operation as an “illegal abduction” of over 400 international activists in international waters. According to organizers, the mission included civilians from more than 40 countries, among them doctors, journalists, students, lawyers, and human rights activists. Organizers alleged the vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces while sailing in international waters.
Netanyahu Distances Himself From Ben-Gvir Over Viral Flotilla Video
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound flotilla, stating that the country “has every right” to stop what he described as a “provocative flotilla of Hamas supporters” from reaching Gaza.
At the same time, Netanyahu appeared to distance himself from the controversy surrounding Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, saying the minister’s handling of detained activists “was not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
Netanyahu added that he had instructed authorities to deport the detained activists “as soon as possible.”
The international outrage intensified after Minister Ben-Gvir shared the footage on social media, sparking widespread accusations that he was openly glorifying the humiliation of the detained flotilla activists.
Updated: May 21, 2026
Flotilla activists deported as EU lawmakers push for action against Israel
Israel said on Thursday it had deported all foreign activists involved.
Meanwhile, 37 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have called for the suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement following what they described as the “violent abduction” of flotilla volunteers in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Global Sumud Flotilla.
Manon Aubry, Member of the European Parliament, said that images shared by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, in which he appeared to boast about the humiliation and mistreatment of humanitarian workers, further demonstrated what she described as the “barbarity” of the Netanyahu government.
She added that summoning the ambassador was not sufficient, and called for the suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement.
