The visit of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the detention complex of flotilla activists in the port of Ashdod ignited a sharp diplomatic crisis on Wednesday afternoon - alongside a frontal confrontation within the government.
Minister Ben Gvir, along with prison fighters and police forces, toured the detention complex at the port of Ashdod - and addressed the flotilla activists while waving the Israeli flag: "The camp is over, those who act against the State of Israel will find a resolute state, I hope the Prime Minister will keep you with us in Keziot prison for as long as possible. The people of Israel live.".
In response, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar launched an unprecedented attack against Ben Gvir, following the documentation he distributed from the scene, and accused him of directly harming the national interests of the State of Israel.
Minister Sa'ar attacked: "You knowingly caused damage to the country in this disgraceful performance, and not for the first time. You wasted tremendous, professional and successful efforts made by many, many people - from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry employees and many more. No, you are not the face of Israel.".
Minister Ben Gvir was not left unsatisfied: "There are those in the government who still haven't understood how to behave with supporters of terror. Israel's foreign minister is expected to understand that Israel has stopped being a spoiled child. Anyone who comes to our territory to support terror and identify with Hamas will be kidnapped and we will not turn the other cheek.".
The Foreign Minister's attack came after Foreign Ministry and IDF personnel worked around the clock to conduct the information and image campaign surrounding the takeover of the Turkish flotilla.
The political establishment noted that the international criticism of the takeover itself was expected and managed, but the official documentation that Ben Gvir released from the detention facility completely changed the picture and drew harsh reactions from Europe.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Maloni reacted with extraordinary severity to the events and demanded immediate clarifications from Jerusalem: "The treatment that Israel gives to the flotilla activists is unacceptable. Minister Ben Gvir's behavior towards the flotilla activists is unacceptable. We expect an apology from Israel on the matter.".
Following the incident, the Israeli ambassador in Rome was summoned for an urgent clarification and reprimand at the Italian Foreign Ministry.
The storm began when Minister Ben Gvir conducted an operational tour of the Ashdod port with the aim of closely monitoring the reception and interrogation of the flotilla activists who were taken off the ships.
During the minister's tour of the detention complex, one of the flotilla participants shouted at him: "Free Palestine.".
The prison guards who accompanied the minister immediately took control of her and removed her from the scene. At the same time, security forces played the national anthem "Hatikva" at high volume in the background.
Minister Ben Gvir chose to document the events, directly addressing the flotilla's detainees, waving the Israeli flag in front of them, and telling the cameras: "The camp is over.".
This documentation, which was quickly distributed in the media, led to a diplomatic crisis with Italy and great anger in the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.
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