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Greece’s foreign ministry on Wednesday condemned the treatment of Greek citizens detained after participating in the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” following the circulation of videos posted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showing activists kneeling with their hands bound at the port of Ashdod.
In a statement, the ministry described the conduct toward the activists as “unacceptable and absolutely condemnable,” adding that Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis had ordered the dispatch of a formal diplomatic protest to Israeli authorities over the incident and the treatment of the Greek participants.

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Reuters and other international media verified the existence of the video and reported that roughly 430 activists from dozens of countries were transferred to Israel following the interception.
In the footage, Ben-Gvir is heard saying in Hebrew, “Welcome to Israel, we are the masters,” while waving a large Israeli flag and as the Israeli national anthem plays in the background. The video begins with one activist shouting “Free Palestine” before police officers force several participants to the ground and remove them from the area.
Israeli media and international reports said the detainees were being held at facilities in the port city of Ashdod pending deportation procedures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s right to prevent flotillas from breaching its naval blockade of Gaza, describing the convoy as a provocation by Hamas supporters. At the same time, however, he reportedly criticized Ben-Gvir’s handling of the detainees, saying the minister’s behavior did not reflect Israel’s values or official conduct.