Turkey and Israel are locked in a fresh diplomatic confrontation after Ankara reportedly sought an Interpol Red Notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

The dispute centres on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sailed toward Gaza carrying hundreds of activists before Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in the Mediterranean and detained those on board.

Turkey has accused Netanyahu and others of serious crimes, while Israel has rejected the allegations and sharply attacked the Turkish government.

The wider controversy comes as Britain, Canada and Australia condemn Israel’s decision to close a probe into the 2024 strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza.

Turkey Seeks Interpol Red Notice For Netanyahu | Israel-Turkey Row Escalates Over Gaza Flotilla

France on Saturday (May 23) announced a ban on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country after he posted a video mocking pro-Palestinian activists detained by Israeli forces during a Gaza-bound aid mission.&nbsp;French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the decision was taken following Ben Gvir’s actions towards French and European citizens who were part of the humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza.&nbsp;“From today, Itamar Ben Gvir is banned from entering French territory” after “his reprehensible actions towards French and European citizens” who were part of the humanitarian flotilla, Barrot wrote on X.&nbsp;He also said France and Italy were pushing for wider European Union sanctions against the far-right Israeli minister.&nbsp;The controversy erupted after Ben Gvir shared a video on Wednesday showing foreign activists detained by Israeli soldiers after their flotilla was intercepted in international waters.&nbsp;The activists, who were later taken to the southern Israeli port of Ashdod and awaited deportation, were seen kneeling on the ground with their hands tied in the footage.The video, captioned “Welcome to Israel”, also showed Ben Gvir taunting the activists while waving an Israeli flag.&nbsp;The incident triggered criticism from several European countries. Spain urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Ben Gvir, while the United Kingdom summoned Israel’s top diplomat in London over what it described as the “inflammatory video”.&nbsp;The activists had departed from Turkey last week aboard nearly 50 vessels under the Global Sumud Flotilla initiative. The mission was the latest attempt by international activists to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza after Israeli forces intercepted another convoy last month.<h3>Israeli government divided over Ben Gvir video</h3>Ben Gvir’s controversial video also drew criticism from within the Israeli government, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar sharply attacking his fellow cabinet colleague over the footage showing him taunting detained activists from the Gaza flotilla.&nbsp;“You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time,” Sa’ar said in a statement. “You have undone tremendous, professional and successful efforts made by so many people, from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others.”&nbsp;“You are not the face of Israel,” Sa’ar wrote on X while criticising National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display - and not for the first time. You have undone tremendous, professional, and successful efforts made by so many people - from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others. No, you are not the face of… <a href="https://t.co/KOj6fhpyM7">https://t.co/KOj6fhpyM7</a>&mdash; Gideon Sa&#39;ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) <a href="https://twitter.com/gidonsaar/status/2057075559021043833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also distanced himself from the minister’s conduct and said the treatment of the activists was “not in line with Israel's values and norms”.&nbsp;However, Netanyahu had earlier criticised the aid mission itself and described the flotilla as a “malicious scheme” aimed at helping Hamas.

The row erupted after Ben Gvir on Wednesday shared a video mocking foreign activists who were detained by Israeli forces after their Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted in international waters

France on Saturday (May 23) announced a ban on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country after he posted a video mocking pro-Palestinian activists detained by Israeli forces during a Gaza-bound aid mission. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the decision was taken following Ben Gvir’s actions towards French and European citizens who were part of the humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. “From today, Itamar Ben Gvir is banned from entering French territory” after “his reprehensible actions towards French and European citizens” who were part of the humanitarian flotilla, Barrot wrote on X. He also said France and Italy were pushing for wider European Union sanctions against the far-right Israeli minister. The controversy erupted after Ben Gvir shared a video on Wednesday showing foreign activists detained by Israeli soldiers after their flotilla was intercepted in international waters. The activists, who were later taken to the southern Israeli port of Ashdod and awaited deportation, were seen kneeling on the ground with their hands tied in the footage. The video, captioned “Welcome to Israel”, also showed Ben Gvir taunting the activists while waving an Israeli flag. The incident triggered criticism from several European countries. Spain urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Ben Gvir, while the United Kingdom summoned Israel’s top diplomat in London over what it described as the “inflammatory video”. The activists had departed from Turkey last week aboard nearly 50 vessels under the Global Sumud Flotilla initiative. The mission was the latest attempt by international activists to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza after Israeli forces intercepted another convoy last month. Israeli government divided over Ben Gvir video Ben Gvir’s controversial video also drew criticism from within the Israeli government, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar sharply attacking his fellow cabinet colleague over the footage showing him taunting detained activists from the Gaza flotilla. “You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time,” Sa’ar said in a statement. “You have undone tremendous, professional and successful efforts made by so many people, from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others.” “You are not the face of Israel,” Sa’ar wrote on X while criticising National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The row erupted after Ben Gvir on Wednesday shared a video mocking foreign activists who were detained by Israeli forces after their Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted in international waters

France bans Israeli minister Ben Gvir over controversial Gaza flotilla video

Israel has deported all foreign activists detained during a recent high-profile operation, drawing criticism and concern from governments, human rights groups, and international observers. The move comes amid growing global scrutiny of Israel's policies and actions in the region. Supporters of the activists have condemned the deportations, while Israeli authorities maintain that the measures were taken in accordance with national security and immigration laws.


Israel Deports All Foreign Activists Amid Global Outcry 

Israeli soldiers allegedly "attacked" and "beat" them, an activist claimed, as Israel on Thursday (May 21) announced that it had deported all the foreign activists who were seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla. This comes as reports of their treatment in custody stirred a major global outcry. The activists were among hundreds of people from several countries who had boarded vessels attempting to break Israel's blockade on Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla at sea earlier this week, detaining everyone on board before transferring them to facilities inside Israel.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-3-gets-top-us-space-honour-years-after-historic-moon-landing-goddard-astronautics-award-1779417149649">Chandrayaan-3 gets top US space honour years after historic Moon landing</a><h2>Activists deported</h2>By Thursday, deportation flights had begun leaving southern Israel. Turkish officials confirmed that 422 activists, including 85 Turkish nationals, were flown out on three chartered aircraft arranged by Ankara. Several others were reportedly sent directly back to their home countries.Scenes at Istanbul airport quickly turned emotional. Supporters waving Palestinian flags gathered at the VIP terminal as the first group of deported activists arrived home. Some emerged visibly exhausted, while others raised slogans in support of Palestine.One Turkish activist, Bulal Kitay, accused Israeli forces of physically assaulting detainees during custody.Israeli forces "attacked us. Each of us was beaten, women and men," he said after landing in Istanbul, adding that such treatment reflected what Palestinians "experience all the time."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-welcome-to-israel-faces-backlash-after-minister-posts-videos-of-taunting-detained-flotilla-activists-global-leaders-condemn-tel-aviv-watch-1779302966537">'Welcome to...': Israel faces backlash after minister posts videos of taunting detained flotilla activists; global leaders condemn Tel Aviv | WATCH</a><h2>Video of detainee mistreatment goes viral</h2>Earlier this week, controversy erupted after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a video online showing detained activists kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads pressed to the ground. The footage triggered sharp criticism internationally and even drew criticism from senior Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.Countries including Spain, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom reacted strongly. Some European leaders reportedly pushed for sanctions against Ben Gvir, while Britain summoned Israel's senior diplomat over what it described as an "inflammatory video."Legal representatives for the activists also raised alarm over alleged mistreatment in detention. Adalah, the legal rights group assisting flotilla members, earlier on Thursday said some detainees reported broken ribs and injuries caused by rubber bullets. "We know of at least two participants who were hospitalised... both of them were shot by rubber bullets," Adalah's legal director Suhad Bishara told AFP. Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, who was deported separately, claimed activists were handcuffed, shackled and assaulted while being transported to the airport."They beat us up. They kicked us and punched us and shouted 'Welcome to Israel'," he alleged after returning to Italy.Israel defended its actions, insisting it would not allow any attempt to breach what it called the "lawful naval blockade" on Gaza. The country has tightly controlled access to the territory since 2007, with restrictions becoming even harsher after the October 7 Hamas attack and the war that followed.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Did Israeli forces assault detained Gaza flotilla activists? After Israel deported hundreds of foreign activists seized at sea, multiple detainees alleged beatings, rubber bullet injuries and abuse in custody. Scroll down to read more.

Israeli soldiers allegedly "attacked" and "beat" them, an activist claimed, as Israel on Thursday (May 21) announced that it had deported all the foreign activists who were seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla. This comes as reports of their treatment in custody stirred a major global outcry. The activists were among hundreds of people from several countries who had boarded vessels attempting to break Israel's blockade on Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla at sea earlier this week, detaining everyone on board before transferring them to facilities inside Israel. Also read | Chandrayaan-3 gets top US space honour years after historic Moon landing Activists deported By Thursday, deportation flights had begun leaving southern Israel. Turkish officials confirmed that 422 activists, including 85 Turkish nationals, were flown out on three chartered aircraft arranged by Ankara. Several others were reportedly sent directly back to their home countries. Scenes at Istanbul airport quickly turned emotional. Supporters waving Palestinian flags gathered at the VIP terminal as the first group of deported activists arrived home. Some emerged visibly exhausted, while others raised slogans in support of Palestine. One Turkish activist, Bulal Kitay, accused Israeli forces of physically assaulting detainees during custody. Israeli forces "attacked us. Each of us was beaten, women and men," he said after landing in Istanbul, adding that such treatment reflected what Palestinians "experience all the time." Also read | 'Welcome to...': Israel faces backlash after minister posts videos of taunting detained flotilla activists; global leaders condemn Tel Aviv | WATCH Video of detainee mistreatment goes viral Earlier this week, controversy erupted after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a video online showing detained activists kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads pressed to the ground. The footage triggered sharp criticism internationally and even drew criticism from senior Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Countries including Spain, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom reacted strongly. Some European leaders reportedly pushed for sanctions against Ben Gvir, while Britain summoned Israel's senior diplomat over what it described as an "inflammatory video." Legal representatives for the activists also raised alarm over alleged mistreatment in detention. Adalah, the legal rights group assisting flotilla members, earlier on Thursday said some detainees reported broken ribs and injuries caused by rubber bullets. "We know of at least two participants who were hospitalised... both of them were shot by rubber bullets," Adalah's legal director Suhad Bishara told AFP. Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, who was deported separately, claimed activists were handcuffed, shackled and assaulted while being transported to the airport. "They beat us up. They kicked us and punched us and shouted 'Welcome to Israel'," he alleged after returning to Italy. Israel defended its actions, insisting it would not allow any attempt to breach what it called the "lawful naval blockade" on Gaza. The country has tightly controlled access to the territory since 2007, with restrictions becoming even harsher after the October 7 Hamas attack and the war that followed.

Did Israeli forces assault detained Gaza flotilla activists? After Israel deported hundreds of foreign activists seized at sea, multiple detainees alleged beatings, rubber bullet injuries and abuse in custody. Scroll down to read more.

What Palestinians 'experience all the time' : Deported Gaza flotilla activists accuse Israel of physical assault

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Turkey Seeks Interpol Red Notice For Netanyahu | Israel-Turkey Row Escalates Over Gaza Flotilla

France bans Israeli minister Ben Gvir over controversial Gaza flotilla video

Israel Deports All Foreign Activists Amid Global Outcry

'They beat us': Deported Gaza flotilla activists accuse Israel of physical abuse