The UK has summoned Israel’s most senior diplomat in Britain over an “inflammatory” video of detainees posted by the country’s security minister.
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 – in what appeared to be a makeshift detention area at Ashdod, on Israel’s coast – and has demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities.
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור
Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC
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).”
The Foreign Office is in touch with the families of a number of British activists detained in Israel and stands ready to provide consular support.
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”.
The UK sanctioned Mr Ben-Gvir and his fellow minister Bezalel Smotrich, in June 2025, over the men’s “repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians”.
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