By Niva Chittock, RNZ WorldWatch presenter/producer
New Zealand has joined international condemnation of Israel’s far-right national security minister, even summoning the Israeli ambassador to convey that message.
A video posted by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing him taunting detained flotilla activists, drew international condemnation on Thursday.
The video showed kneeling activists, with their hands zip-tied, while Ben-Gvir shouted “they came as big heroes, see how they look now… not heroes, nothing, terror supporters”.
The video released by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir
Ben-Gvir also said he had told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “give them to me for more much time, give them to us for the terrorist prisons, this is how it should look”.
He posted the video with the caption “welcome to Israel”.
In a statement on X, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand condemned Ben-Gvir’s behaviour.
“Last year, New Zealand placed a travel ban on Minister Ben-Gvir for severely and deliberately undermining peace and security and removing prospects for a two state solution.
Further vindication
His latest conduct with respect to the Gaza flotilla, which has been seriously criticised by his own Prime Minister, is further vindication of that position.
Peters said ministry officials had been instructed to call in the Israeli Ambassador on Thursday to directly pass the government’s grave concerns.
New Zealand condemns the behaviour of Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Last year, New Zealand placed a travel ban on Minister Ben-Gvir for severely and deliberately undermining peace and security and removing prospects for a two state solution.
His latest conduct with…
— Winston Peters (@NewZealandMFA) May 20, 2026
“We expect Israel to adhere to its international legal obligations, including in its treatment of New Zealanders participating in the flotilla.”
The US, the UK, France, Italy and Canada were among the countries which expressed alarm at the video, which Ben-Gvir shared on social media.
A global pro-Palestinian humanitarian aid movement said three New Zealanders were detained by Israel after their boats were intercepted while taking part in a flotilla to Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla had repeatedly tried to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Palestinian territory.
In a statement, the group said New Zealanders Mousa Taher, Hāhona Ormsby and Julien Blondel were now in Israeli custody.
It said Mousa and Julien had returned to the flotilla after an earlier interception.
MFAT comment
RNZ approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) for comment.
In a previous statement provided to RNZ earlier this month, MFAT said it understood up to six New Zealanders had been caught up in the interception and it was aware of allegations made about the treatment of New Zealanders in custody.
Consular officials in New Zealand and Europe had been working to get information and support the New Zealanders involved, it said.
“The New Zealand government made it clear to Israel that the safety of New Zealanders involved was paramount and that international law must be upheld,” the previous statement said.
New Zealand had a long-standing “do not travel” advisory in place for Gaza, explicitly warning against any attempt to enter by sea, MFAT said.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
- Pacific Media Watch reports that 428 Gaza flotilla humanitarian activists from 40 countries were abducted from more than 50 boats in the Israeli operation this week, according to organisers. The boats were carrying humanitarian aid in a bid to break the illegal blockade of Gaza.
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz