The footage, published on Ben-Gvir's X account, shows dozens of activists on a military boat with the Israeli national anthem blaring and the minister seen waving an Israeli flag. One handcuffed activist shown in the video was immediately pushed to the ground by security personnel after shouting, “Free Palestine” as Ben-Gvir was walking by. The video sparked an immediate outcry both internationally and within Israel. Italy's government ​was among the first to react, calling Israel's treatment ‌of the flotilla activists ​"unacceptable" and saying the Israeli ambassador would be summoned for ‌an explanation. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also called for the immediate release of any detained Italian citizens and demanded an apology. French Foreign ​Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said he had also summoned the Israeli ambassador. "Mr. Ben Gvir's actions towards the passengers of ‌the Global Sumud Flotilla, denounced ​by his own colleagues in the Israeli government, are unacceptable," ​Barrot said in ​a post on ​X. Within Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Ben-Gvir over his handling of the detained flotilla activists, adding that he had ordered their deportation. Netanyahu called Ben-Gvir's actions "not in line with Israel's values". "The way minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel's values and norms. I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs (activists) as soon as possible," he said in a statement. Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar addressed Ben Gvir in a post on X. "You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time," Saar wrote, adding that Ben Gvir was "not the face of Israel". The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey last week in the latest attempt by activists to breach Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory after Israeli forces intercepted a previous convoy last month. Israel intercepted the boats on Monday and Tuesday.