Key Facts

• Israel's national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting detained activists on a flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
• The flotilla had over 50 boats and 430 activists carrying a small amount of humanitarian aid.
• Gaza remains under an Israeli naval blockade, and its humanitarian situation is poor despite a ceasefire since October.
• Several countries, including Canada, Australia, and the U.K., have condemned Ben-Gvir, who is barred from entering these countries.
• Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, criticized Ben-Gvir’s actions as harmful to Israel's values and diplomacy.
• The activists were detained and deported after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla near Cyprus and Crete.
• At least 10 countries summoned Israeli diplomats to express their concern about the incident.
• The U.S. ambassador called Ben-Gvir’s actions “despicable” but also criticized the flotilla as a “stupid stunt.”