Cyprus' foreign ministry on Wednesday joined the outcry against far-right Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir, after he posted a video of himself openly taunting handcuffed Gaza flotilla activists.
The video sparked backlash, with several world leaders summoning Israeli envoys and issuing harsh criticism. It shows an activist dragged across the ground while Gvir smirks, and then cuts to him waving the Israeli flag. The footage also shows rows of activists kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their back.
He tells them in Hebrew: "Welcome to Israel. We are the masters."
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026
Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC
"The acts displayed by Minister Ben Gvir towards flotilla participants are utterly unacceptable and inconsistent with democratic norms and fundamental values of human dignity," Cyprus' foreign ministry said.
It called for "rectifying steps" immediately and specified "such condemnable behaviour can never be tolerated and should be duly accounted for."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has waged an endless onslaught against Gaza which a UN Commission has called a genocide, issued his own rare rebuke against Gvir. He said although Israel has every right to stop “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters,” the way that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists “is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
Hundreds of passengers
Cyprus has remained largely mum about the flotila, despite the fact that it received multiple distress calls from activists on the vessels on Monday, that it did not act on. Authorities said they did not require a search and rescue response.
Israeli naval commandos then intercepted the fleet of over 50 vessels in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles (460km) from the coast of Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade.
In total, 54 boats took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey last Thursday. There were 430 passengers including doctors, lawyers, activists, journalists and elected officials from 45 countries were on board and subsequently taken to Israel, in what activists have described "illegal detention."
The acts displayed by Minister Ben Gvir towards flotilla participants are utterly unacceptable and inconsistent with democratic norms and fundamental values of human dignity.
— Cyprus MFA (@CyprusMFA) May 20, 2026
While the statements issued by Israeli government members distancing themselves from such disrespectful…
Global reactions
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: "It is intolerable that these protesters, among whom there are many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity."
"Italy also demands an apology for the treatment inflicted on these demonstrators and for the total disregard shown towards the explicit requests of the Italian government," she added.
France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, expressed its "indignation" at Gvir's actions and demanded an explanation.
"Whatever one thinks of this flotilla... our nationals who took part in it must be treated with respect and freed as soon as possible," he posted on X.
His Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, called the video "deeply troubling".
"This is a matter we take very, very seriously. It's a matter of humane treatment of civilians, and I can assure you that we are acting with absolute urgency," she told reporters.
