Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia and several Arab and Muslim nations have strongly condemned what they described as 'appalling, humiliating, and unacceptable' actions by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir against activists detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla.

The backlash follows the circulation of videos showing Ben-Gvir taunting detainees, including footage of him waving an Israeli flag over bound individuals and shouting at a kneeling activist whose hands were restrained. The incident drew criticism from foreign leaders and prompted disapproval within Israel’s own government.

In a joint statement, ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, Pakistan, and Indonesia said the public humiliation of detainees was a violation of human dignity and international law. They also condemned what they described as extremist incitement and violence against Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The ministers warned that such actions inflame tensions and undermine efforts toward a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution. They called for accountability, concrete measures to prevent further provocations, and full protection of detainees’ rights in accordance with international law.