Mirvis denounces shameful conduct while Netanyahu affirms Israel’s right to block Hamas-supporting provocations.
UK Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis strongly condemned National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after footage showed him taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists at Ashdod Port.
Rabbi Mirvis said he had rarely seen the Jewish world so united in revulsion, calling the episode a shameful display and an awful Chillul Hashem. He said such conduct stands in direct opposition to core Jewish values and harms the dignity Israel must uphold even while confronting hostile provocations.
The controversy began after Ben-Gvir toured a facility where flotilla participants were being held following Israel’s interception of their attempt to reach Gaza. He later published footage of the encounter online, triggering widespread criticism in Israel and abroad.
The incident created serious diplomatic fallout, with several countries summoning Israeli representatives. The UK also summoned Israel’s Chargé d’Affaires and demanded explanations regarding the conduct shown in the video and the conditions of detention.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply criticized Ben-Gvir, accusing him of knowingly damaging Israel and undermining the work of IDF soldiers, diplomats and state officials. He declared that Ben-Gvir is not the face of Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also drew a clear distinction between Israel’s security rights and Ben-Gvir’s conduct. Netanyahu said Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas supporters from reaching Gaza, but stressed that the minister’s behavior did not reflect Israel’s values or norms. He ordered the activists’ deportation as quickly as possible.
