Netanyahu in a Soup: IDF 'Beats Up' Gaza Aid Activists | GRAVITAS

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]As I talk about our next story, I want to start by showing you this video.

[00:00:21]Well, the man whom you see repeatedly in the video is Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister and one of the most polarizing far-right figures of Israeli politics.

[00:00:34]And around him are Israeli Defense Forces personnel hitting, forcing, and detaining a group of pro-Palestinian activists sailing on a flotilla with aid for Gaza.

[00:00:46]Subsequently, Israel announced that all foreign activists from the flotilla have been deported from the country.

[00:00:54]This 38-second video is now triggering massive outrage across the world with world leaders condemning the brutality.

[00:01:02]Within hours, the footage exploded into a diplomatic crisis. The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called Ben-Gvir's actions as despicable. He also said that the flotilla was a stupid stunt, but Ben-Gvir betrayed the dignity of his nation.

[00:01:19]Canadian Prime Minister Marc Carney said, and I quote him, "The protection of civilians and respect for human dignity must be upheld everywhere at all times." In fact, he also added that he had instructed his officials to summon the Israeli ambassador.

[00:01:34]UK's Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said that the video showed totally disgraceful scenes, adding that she had sent a summon to the Israeli Embassy to demand an urgent explanation.

[00:01:46]Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, said the images were unacceptable and demanded the release of all Italian citizens involved along with an apology.

[00:01:56]Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned Ben-Gvir as well, saying that the actions of Israeli authorities were degrading.

[00:02:04]Such angry reactions have been coming in even now from all parts of the world.

[00:02:10]The activists, remember, were part of what organizers called the global summit flotilla. More than 400 activists from 40 countries had taken part in this very flotilla. It set off from Turkey carrying food and other aid in what was the latest high-profile attempt to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

[00:02:30]Among them were doctors, there were students, human rights advocates, and political organizers. Israeli forces intercepted the vessel before they reached Gaza. And now Israel says that the blockade is a necessary security measure to prevent weapons and materials from reaching Hamas.

[00:02:48]But supporters of the flotilla say that this mission was humanitarian and it was symbolic. They say that it was a protest against what aid groups describe as catastrophic conditions in Gaza due to months of war.

[00:03:02]Human rights lawyers representing some activists alleged physical abuse, intimidation, stress positions, and degrading treatment during detention.

[00:03:12]Some women reportedly alleged harassment and forced removal of religious coverings as well.

[00:03:18]Israeli authorities dispute many of these claims and they maintain that security forces acted lawfully. But internationally, the optics have been devastating. This shocking video comes amid Israel being called out for alleged continued violations in its war against Hamas and Iran.

[00:03:36]The United States has not been able to convince Prime Minister Netanyahu to end the offensive.

[00:03:43]Even though Netanyahu clarified that Ben-Gvir's views are not that of Israel.

[00:03:48]Remember, he continues to face pressure from within his own coalition as well.

[00:03:53]Let's give you a context. Many Israelis are now asking whether Netanyahu will fire Ben-Gvir after this as the security minister of the country.

[00:04:02]The question is, can Netanyahu fire him?

[00:04:06]Because it's a tough task. You see, Benjamin Netanyahu is dependent on Ben-Gvir's party for support in the upcoming elections as he did in the last one. In March 2021, Netanyahu was asked whether the far-right Otzma Yehudit party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir would be given a ministerial role in a coalition.

[00:04:27]He had rejected the idea at the moment.

[00:04:30]Netanyahu lost those elections.

[00:04:33]But when he did win the next one in November 2022 with the support of Ben-Gvir and others, he gave him key ministerial posts.

[00:04:42]Plus Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has approved this week to dissolve itself, potentially bringing forward a few weeks the next national election, essentially a snap election for Benjamin Netanyahu.

[00:04:55]And with all of this, opinion polls and surveys predict that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be losing the next election.

[00:05:02]Polls have since consistently shown Netanyahu's governing coalition falling far short of parliamentary majority.

[00:05:12]However, there's also a chance that the opposition parties will fail to form a coalition, leaving Netanyahu as the head of an interim government until the political stalemate is broken.

[00:05:23]So, this entire controversy is more of a headache for Benjamin Netanyahu electorally, politically.

[00:05:30]The question now is, can Israel maintain broad Western support while some of its most visible leaders resort to violence and brutality on unarmed activists?