Wong hauls in Israeli ambassador over ‘shocking’ video

Australia has added its voice to a barrage of criticism of an Israeli minister who posted a video of himself berating detained pro-Palestine activists.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia will be hauled in for a “please explain” after the country’s national security minister posted a video of himself berating detained pro-Palestine activists.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the clip as “shocking and unacceptable” and called for the release of 11 Australians who were among the activists arrested after trying to break Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza.

In a clip posted to social media and captioned “Welcome to Israel”, Itamar Ben-Gvir is shown hurling abuse at the activists while their hands were tied behind their backs and their faces on the ground.

“They came with a lot of pride like great heroes. Now look at them. See how they look now. Not heroes, terror supporters,” he says at one point, according to a translation by CNN.

More than 400 activists, including the 11 Australians, had been trying to reach Gaza by boat when they were intercepted and boarded by the Israeli Defence Forces off the coast of Turkey.

“The images we have seen posted by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir – who Australia has sanctioned – are shocking and unacceptable,” Senator Wong said on X.

“We condemn his actions and the degrading actions of Israeli authorities towards those detained.”

 

 

ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור

Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026

Senator Wong said she had told the Department of Foreign Affairs to call in Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, to reinforce her message.

Dr Newman is expected to meet with departmental officials today.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scolded Mr Ben-Gvir for his actions and said the activists would be deported as soon as possible.

“Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.

“However, the way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned his colleague, accusing him of undoing the work of the IDF and foreign ministry staff.

“You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time,” he said.

“No, you are not the face of Israel.”

Other countries, including Italy, the UK, Turkey, Greece and the US, have also criticised Mr Ben-Gvir.

American ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described Mr Ben-Gvir’s actions as “despicable” and said he “betrayed (the) dignity of his nation”.

The Zionist Federation of Australia has condemned Ben-Gvir’s ‘inflammatory and disgraceful behaviour’.

In a statement, ZFA  pointed out that “Ben-Gvir has repeatedly embarrassed Israel through extremist rhetoric and performative conduct that undermines Israel’s international standing and weakens confidence in its leadership. We join the Israeli Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in condemning his actions. A person with this record of behaviour should not serve in the Israeli Government”.

Whereas the ZFA condemned the minister, the organisation also criticised the flotilla calling it “a deliberate provocation that sought to generate confrontation rather than contribute constructively to humanitarian outcomes.”

ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said Minister Ben-Gvir does not represent mainstream Israeli society nor the views of the overwhelming majority of the Australian Jewish community.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar were absolutely right to publicly condemn this behaviour. When Israel’s own senior leaders describe conduct as unacceptable and disgraceful, it demonstrates just how far outside acceptable standards it was,” Mr Leibler said.

“Minister Ben-Gvir’s behaviour handed Israel’s critics exactly the imagery and narrative they were seeking, while doing nothing to advance Israel’s security or diplomatic interests.”

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s President Daniel Aghion said, “Nothing can excuse the appalling behaviour displayed by Minister Ben-Gvir against a group of people who were being held in custody in Israel.  We agree entirely with the comments of Israel’s Foreign Minister and Prime Minister condemning Ben Gvir’s actions as disgraceful.

The fact that the group had been engaged in an unlawful and provocative action that would benefit Hamas was the reason they were detained, but it does not in any way justify their mistreatment while they were being held.  There is simply no excuse.”

The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council called Ben-Gvir’s behaviour “irresponsible and inexcusable, serving no constructive purpose and only undermines Israel’s legitimate legal and security rights in stopping this flotilla”.

Detainees simply should not be treated this way, and the international community has the right to expect far better from an Israeli minister.

Importantly, Ben-Gvir’s disgraceful actions were swiftly and publicly condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, multiple high-ranking Israeli officials and many others across Israel, underscoring that his outrageous conduct does not reflect the position of the Israeli Government or the broader values and norms of Israeli society.

Executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein said Israel “was fully justified, both legally and operationally, in intercepting vessels attempting to breach the naval blockade.

Everyone involved in this flotilla knew full well they would almost certainly be intercepted, briefly detained and deported, as has occurred with numerous previous flotillas.

The fact is, this latest flotilla was not a genuine humanitarian mission, but a dangerous and provocative political and media stunt. No previous flotillas have carried any meaningful aid for Gaza, and organisers have consistently rejected opportunities to transfer aid through Israel or established international mechanisms.”

By: Zac de Silva /AAP with J-Wire