Senior Israeli officials have moved to contain growing international outrage after footage emerged showing activists from the latest Gaza flotilla kneeling with their hands bound following their interception at sea by Israeli forces. The video, circulated by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, triggered sharp criticism both abroad and within Israel itself, with several senior figures publicly condemning the scenes as damaging and degrading.

Speaking to French media, Israel’s ambassador to France Joshua Zarka described the recording as an electoral publicity exercise that “runs completely contrary” to the values Israel claims to uphold. He confirmed that Israeli diplomatic representatives would appear before the French Foreign Ministry after Jean-Noël Barrot summoned the ambassador over what Paris labelled “unacceptable conduct” towards detained activists.

The backlash rapidly widened beyond France. Italian officials reportedly demanded formal apologies, while authorities in Spain, Canada and Ireland condemned the treatment shown in the footage in unusually strong language. The criticism intensified after it emerged that relatives of prominent Irish political figures were among those detained during the naval operation. Former French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also denounced the scenes, describing the video as a humiliating spectacle designed for political theatre.

Even within Israel’s leadership, divisions surfaced over the publication of the footage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said the images did not reflect Israel’s stated values, while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused Ben-Gvir of knowingly harming the country’s international standing. The incident has further intensified scrutiny over Israel’s handling of foreign activists attempting to challenge the blockade imposed on Gaza during what many observers increasingly describe as a genocidal war.

The flotilla, composed of around fifty vessels departing from Turkey, had sought to reach Gaza in defiance of the long-running siege. Israeli authorities stated that approximately 430 activists detained during the operation were transferred onto Israeli ships following the interception.