The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued a statement regarding the behavior of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir concerning Greeks in the “Global Sumud Flotilla“. According to the statement, a protest démarche was made on the orders of Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis regarding this incident.
The Foreign Ministry’s statement on the démarche to Israel
“The behavior of the Israeli National Security Minister, which was directed against citizens who participated in the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’ is unacceptable and absolutely condemnable,” the relevant statement reads.
In detail, the Foreign Ministry stated regarding the démarche: “The behavior of the Israeli National Security Minister, which was directed against citizens who participated in the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’ is unacceptable and absolutely condemnable.
On the orders of Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, a protest démarche was made regarding this incident. We demand full respect for international humanitarian law and human rights and call on Israeli authorities to proceed with rapid processing of all procedures and immediate release of Greek citizens.”
The video with the activists
It is recalled that Itamar Ben-Gvir published a video showing Gaza flotilla activists who were arrested and taken to the port of Ashdod. The activists appear bound and kneeling on the ground, with Gvir shouting and mocking them.
Gvir appears raising a large Israeli flag and shouting characteristically “Welcome to Israel, we are the owners here,” while also referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing that “I tell the Prime Minister give them to us for a long time, let’s put them in terrorist prisons.”
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור
Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026
Distancing by Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after the video he published. “Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza,” the Israeli Prime Minister emphasized.
“However, the way Minister Ben-Gvir handled the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and standards,” he added. He also requested the deportation of the activists “as soon as possible.”
