The UK has summoned Israel’s most senior diplomat in Britain over an “inflammatory” video of detainees posted by the country’s security minister, and is working to help British nationals involved get home.
Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir drew international condemnation for sharing footage taunting international activists who were held in Israel after taking part in an aid flotilla attempting to get past the nation’s blockade of Gaza.
On Thursday, the Israeli charge d’affaires, Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which said the move reflected the UK’s “strong condemnation of his (Mr Ben-Gvir’s) conduct in taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla”.
“This behaviour violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity for people,” the department said.
Mrs Grudsky Ekstein is the most senior Israeli diplomat in the UK as there is currently no ambassador in place.
The Government has also expressed concern over the detention conditions depicted – what appeared to be a makeshift detention area at Ashdod, on Israel’s coast – and has demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis added his voice to the condemnation, posting online: “I have rarely seen the Jewish world so united in revulsion than in its response to this shameful display.
“Such conduct is the very antithesis of our core Jewish values and an awful Chillul Hashem (desecration of God’s name).”
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026
Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC
Foreign Office staff are working to help British activists detained in Israel return home, minister Hamish Falconer told the Commons.
He said: “Our consular staff are in contact with the families who have asked for consular support and with a number of the members of this House.
“Our staff in the region are now working to help British nationals get home.”
More than 400 people, including a number of British nationals and the sister of the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, have been detained after the attempt organised by the Global Sumud Flotilla.
A similar bid by activists in 2025 also ended with Israel intercepting the vessels involved and detaining activists.
I am truly appalled at the video posted by Israeli Cabinet Minister Ben-Gvir taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) May 20, 2026
This violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated.
We are in touch with the families of a number…
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Wednesday said she was “truly appalled” by the footage released by Mr Ben-Gvir, which showed some activists with their hands tied behind their backs and kneeling with their heads touching the floor.
The videos also drew a rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said it was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms”.
Mr Falconer told MPs on Thursday: “While yesterday it was Europeans and others who were subjected to humiliating treatment, which has rightly caused international condemnation, we should be clear that Mr Ben-Gvir has been behaving outrageously towards Palestinians day in, day out, ever since he became a minister.
“That is a disgrace and it was why the UK led an international group of our partners to impose sanctions both on Mr Ben-Gvir and (finance minister Bezalel) Smotrich in their personal capacities, which I announced from this despatch box late last year.”
