Source: Radio New Zealand (world)
Boats decorated with Palestinian flags and solidarity messages depart from the port in Marmaris, Turkey, on May 14. (File photo) Photo: AFP / Murat Kocabas A global pro-Palestinian movement says three New Zealanders have been detained by Israel after their boats were intercepted while taking part in a flotilla to Gaza.
A video posted by Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing him taunting detained flotilla activists, drew international condemnation on Thursday. The video showed kneeling activists, with their hands zip tied, while Ben-Gvir shouted “they came as big heroes, see how they look now… not heroes, nothing, terror supporters”.
Ben-Gvir also said he’s told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “give them to me for more much time, give them to us for the terrorist prisons, this is how it should look”. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. (File photo) Photo: AFP / Menahem Kahana He posted the video with the caption “welcome to Israel”.
The Global Sumud Flotilla had repeatedly tried to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Palestinian territory. In a statement, the group said New Zealanders Mousa Taher, Hāhona Ormsby and Julien Blondel were now in Israeli custody.
It said Mousa and Julien had returned to the flotilla after an earlier interception. RNZ approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) for comment.
Netanyahu responded to the video with a statement posted to social media that said “Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza”. “However, the way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.” Netanyahu said he had “instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs as soon as possible”.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (File photo) Photo: AFP / Pool In a previous statement provided to RNZ earlier this month, MFAT said it understood up to six New Zealanders had been caught up in the interception and it was aware of allegations made about the treatment of New Zealanders in custody.
Consular officials in New Zealand and Europe had been working to get information and support the New Zealanders involved, it said. “The New Zealand government made it clear to Israel that the safety of New Zealanders involved was paramount and that international law must be upheld,” the previous statement said.
New Zealand had a long-standing ‘do not travel’ advisory in place for Gaza, explicitly warning against any attempt to enter by sea, MFAT said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Copyright © 2026, Radio New Zealand • Global Sumud Flotilla calls on NZ govt to intervene after Israeli interception 3 May 2026 The Flotilla said 22 boats carrying aid for Gaza were illegally intercepted in international waters. Six New Zealanders were among those detained.
Global Sumud Flotilla calls on NZ government to intervene after Israeli interception Global Sumud Flotilla calls on NZ govt to intervene after Israeli interception The Flotilla said 22 boats carrying aid for Gaza were illegally intercepted in international waters.
Six New Zealanders were among those detained. • Israeli minister sparks outcry over video of bound flotilla activists about 1 hour ago US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, denounced what he said were “despicable actions”.
Israeli minister sparks outcry over video of bound flotilla activists Israeli minister sparks outcry over video of bound flotilla activists US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, denounced what he said were “despicable actions”. • Up to six NZers caught up in interception of flotilla bound for Gaza 30 Apr 2026 Global Sumud Flotilla, the group behind the attempts to establish a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, named four New Zealanders being held by Israeli Defense Forces after boats were intercepted.
Up to six New Zealanders caught up in Israeli Defense Force’s interception of flotilla bound for Gaza Up to six NZers caught up in interception of flotilla bound for Gaza Global Sumud Flotilla, the group behind the attempts to establish a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, named four New Zealanders being held by Israeli Defense Forces after boats were intercepted. • Israeli forces fired shots at Gaza flotilla, group says 20 May 2026 Israel says no live ammunition was used and there were no casualties.
Israeli forces fired shots at Gaza flotilla, all boats intercepted, group says Israeli forces fired shots at Gaza flotilla, group says Israel says no live ammunition was used and there were no casualties. • Gaza aid flotilla says Israeli forces intercepted 41 vessels, 10 still sailing 19 May 2026 The organisers of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza said the closest vessel to Gaza, Sirius, was 145 nautical miles away.
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