Global Condemnation After Israeli Minister Clashes with Flotilla Activists
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and the subsequent detention and mistreatment of humanitarian workers, including Saad Edhi, grandson of renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi. The condemnation follows the release of a provocative video by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing detained activists in humiliating positions, which has ignited a firestorm of international censure and sharp criticism from within the Israeli government.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office demanded the “immediate release of all illegally detained activists” and called on the international community to ensure their safety and fundamental rights. The FO confirmed it is in “close contact” with Pakistani diplomatic missions in the region to facilitate the safe return of any detained nationals. Saad Edhi is the son of prominent social worker Faisal Edhi.
The diplomatic backlash has been widespread. Pakistan joined nine other countries—Turkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, and Spain—in a joint statement condemning the interception. European leaders reacted with fury, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling the treatment of activists “degrading and wrong” and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowing to push for an EU-wide entry ban on Ben-Gvir. The United Kingdom, Germany, and Ireland also expressed shock and outrage, demanding the activists’ release.
Condemnation also came from other key allies. The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, denounced Ben-Gvir’s “despicable actions.” Australia’s Foreign Minister called the images “shocking and unacceptable,” noting her country has already sanctioned the minister, while New Zealand announced it would summon Israel’s ambassador over the incident, pointing to a pre-existing travel ban on Ben-Gvir. The video also drew rebuke internally, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating the minister’s actions were “not in line with Israel’s values.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkiye last week in the latest attempt by activists to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007. The Palestinian territory has suffered severe shortages of essential supplies during the ongoing conflict. This was the second such attempt in recent weeks after another convoy was intercepted by Israeli forces last month.
🔄 Latest Updates
Updated: 6:58 PM PKT — May 21, 2026
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and the detention of humanitarian workers, including Saad Edhi, grandson of renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi. The condemnation follows the release of a provocative video by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing detained activists in humiliating positions, which has ignited a firestorm of international censure and sharp criticism from within the Israeli government.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office demanded the “immediate release of all illegally detained activists” and called on the international community to ensure their safety and fundamental rights. The FO confirmed it is in “close contact” with Pakistani diplomatic missions in the region to facilitate the safe return of any detained nationals. Pakistan also joined nine other countries—Turkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, and Spain—in a joint statement condemning the interception.
The diplomatic backlash from Europe has been particularly severe, with Italy formally demanding that the European Union impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he has made a formal request to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to have sanctions discussed and adopted at the next EU foreign ministers’ meeting over the minister’s “unacceptable actions.” This follows Kallas calling the treatment of activists “degrading and wrong” and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowing to push for an EU-wide entry ban on Ben-Gvir. The United Kingdom, Germany, and Ireland also expressed shock and outrage.
Condemnation came from other key allies as well. The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, denounced Ben-Gvir’s “despicable actions.” Australia’s Foreign Minister called the images “shocking and unacceptable,” noting her country has already sanctioned the minister, while New Zealand announced it would summon Israel’s ambassador over the incident, pointing to a pre-existing travel ban on Ben-Gvir. The video also drew a rebuke internally from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Updated: 6:38 AM PKT — May 21, 2026
A provocative video posted by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, has ignited widespread international condemnation and exposed deep rifts within the Israeli government. The footage, captioned “Welcome to Israel,” depicted activists, including Saad Edhi, grandson of the late Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, kneeling with hands tied on a military boat deck. Ben-Gvir is also seen waving an Israeli flag and encouraging staff to push down an activist chanting for Palestine.
The diplomatic backlash has been swift and severe. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “stunned” by the video, calling it a violation of “basic standards of human respect and dignity” and demanding an explanation. The European Commission labelled the treatment “unacceptable,” while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the act of handcuffing activists and forcing them to the ground “humiliating.” The President of South Korea described the Israeli action as an “abduction.” Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, and Turkey have all summoned their Israeli ambassadors, with several demanding a formal apology for the “monstrous, disgraceful and inhumane” treatment.
Critically, Ben-Gvir’s actions drew sharp condemnation from within Israel’s own leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the minister’s handling of the activists was “not in line with Israel’s values” and ordered their immediate deportation. Similarly, Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar accused Ben-Gvir of knowingly causing “harm to our state,” highlighting a significant fracture within the ruling coalition over the minister’s conduct.
Defiant in the face of criticism, Ben-Gvir said he was “proud” of the actions taken against what he termed “supporters of terror.” His portrayal was described by Hamas as evidence of “moral depravity and sadism.” The rights group Adalah, which is providing legal aid, accused Israel of a “criminal policy of abuse and humiliation,” stating the activists were “forcefully abducted.”
Updated: 3:44 AM PKT — May 21, 2026
Spain has now also summoned its Israeli ambassador to protest the incident. Additionally, Turkey has officially condemned the confrontation, describing it as an act of “piracy”.
Updated: 1:49 AM PKT — May 21, 2026
The condemnation followed the minister’s posting of a video showing detained aid workers kneeling on the ground with their hands tied. The Netherlands has also summoned its Israeli ambassador to protest the treatment of its citizens. Italy has specifically demanded an apology from Israel.
