BEN GVIR PUNISHMENT: For the harassment of the activists of the Flotilla, a man has to pay 6,800 euros

Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir has been ordered to remove a controversial video he posted online last month, which shows him interacting with activists from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. The decision was made by the head of Israel's Central Election Committee (CEC), Justice Noam Solberg, who ruled that the video constitutes illegal pre-election propaganda using public resources. In addition to being instructed to delete the footage, Ben Gvir has been fined 23,000 new Israeli shekels (approximately 6,816 euros) to cover legal costs associated with a petition filed by the Quality of Government Movement in Israel.

The video, which was uploaded to social media platforms by Ben Gvir himself, features scenes of him standing among uniformed security personnel inside a government facility. It captures moments where dozens of foreign activists, intercepted aboard ships heading toward Gaza, are seen being restrained and forced to kneel on the ground. Ben Gvir appears visibly pleased as he watches this process unfold, waving a large Israeli flag and shouting in Hebrew, “Welcome to Israel! We are here, we are the main ones.” He also plays Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikva,” over loudspeakers and yells “Am Yisrael Hai” (The Nation of Israel Lives) while addressing one of the detained activists attempting to argue with him.

In the background, the sound of a woman crying can be heard, prompting Ben Gvir to tell the guards not to be disturbed by their screams. This incident has drawn sharp criticism from both international leaders and figures within Israel’s political spectrum, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Netanyahu stated in a statement that the way Ben Gvir treated the activists did not align with Israeli values and norms, while Saar publicly criticized his actions for causing damage to the country.

According to reports from the Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Kobi Yakobi, commissioner of the Israeli Prison Service and considered a close ally of Ben Gvir, gave the minister permission to visit the facility where the activists were held. Yakobi confirmed that the detainees had indeed been restrained, forced to kneel, and subjected to a parade involving the Israeli flag and the playing of Hebrew music. However, Israeli law explicitly prohibits the use of any uniformed Israeli officers, including soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), police, or members of the Israeli Prison Service, in any pre-election videos.

This is not the first time Ben Gvir has faced scrutiny over similar content. Earlier this year, he was warned by the CEC about videos he posted showing him on a police boat and touring prison facilities, and he was ordered to remove them from his social media accounts. At the time, Solberg noted that such orders would likely have minimal impact on the influence of these videos once they had already been shared widely.

The controversy surrounding the video has sparked widespread debate about the conduct of high-ranking officials during election periods and the appropriate treatment of detainees. While some view Ben Gvir’s actions as a display of strength and patriotism, others see them as a violation of ethical standards and an abuse of power. As the situation unfolds, attention will remain focused on whether Ben Gvir will comply fully with the court’s ruling and how this incident might affect the broader political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.