Ben Gvir said to have forced his way onto ship to film controversial flotilla video

National security minister blew past 2 officers who tried to prevent him from boarding vessel where detainees were held, threatened to ruin career of one, report says

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir physically forced his way onto a navy ship last week, when he went there to film a controversial video of himself taunting Gaza flotilla participants, provoking an international uproar, according to a Sunday report.

Eyewitnesses told the Kan public broadcaster that the far-right minister arrived at the Ashdod naval base, where flotilla participants were being held after the navy intercepted their boats at sea.

The minister tried to board a ship where some of the detainees were gathered, sources told Kan, and first encountered the lieutenant colonel, who tried to block his path and asked him to wait until she obtained approval for his entry.

According to the sources, Ben Gvir physically pushed her aside and continued on his way.

Another officer arrived, a colonel, and likewise asked Ben Gvir to wait for approval. He allegedly approached the officer and yelled at him, “I will make sure you don’t advance in the army.”

The officer nonetheless pointed out that he was not authorized to allow entry without proper approval, but Ben Gvir continued to shout, moved him out of the way, and entered the boat, the eyewitnesses said.

The report did not include a response from Ben Gvir to the allegations.

Ben Gvir filmed a controversial video at the base in which he could be seen taunting detainees, waving an Israeli flag, and telling them, “Welcome to Israel! We are in charge here!”

Footage was shot on a ship and also in a holding facility on the base.

His action drew condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and caused diplomatic tensions with Italy and France, which both summoned their respective Israeli envoys over the treatment of nationals who were among the detainees.

The Israel Defense Forces began stopping the flotilla around 167 miles (268 kilometers) from the Gaza coastline, according to the flotilla’s website. The vessels departed a week earlier from Marmaris, Turkey, which, along with Gaza-ruling Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, called the interdictions an act of “piracy.”

Israel has dismissed the flotilla as “a PR stunt at the service of Hamas.”

Organizers said they aimed to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance, something aid bodies say is still in short supply, despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in place since October 2025 that includes guarantees of increased aid. Israel has said that the flotillas generally carry only symbolic quantities of aid, and that they refuse to hand it over for overland transfer into Gaza.