Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned a video of his national security minister taunting activists, including Australians, who have been detained. But it's the prime minister who allowed this behaviour to percolate.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has released videos taunting activists detained from a flotilla challenging the Gaza blockade.

Some of the detained activists were being pushed and dragged along the ground by Israeli forces while Itamar Ben-Gvir was taunting them.