All Gaza Flotilla Activists Deported; Israel Prison Service Defends Ben-Gvir Video Conduct

All approximately 430 activists detained from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces on May 18, 2026 in international waters (~600 nautical miles from Gaza) were deported by May 22. Turkey, which had the largest national contingent, chartered three flights to return 422 passengers including 85 Turkish nationals. On May 22, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) issued a statement asserting that all conduct shown in National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's controversial video — depicting activists cable-tied and kneeling with the Israeli national anthem playing — was carried out 'in accordance with procedures.' IPS Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi, a Ben-Gvir ally, had reportedly approved Ben-Gvir's tour of the detention facility. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly rebuked Ben-Gvir's conduct while separately affirming Israel's right to stop vessels bound for Hamas-controlled territory. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called Ben-Gvir's conduct 'despicable' — while also defending the flotilla interception and having separately sanctioned flotilla organizers on May 19. The UK formally joined the list of countries summoning their Israeli ambassador, with additional European governments continuing to weigh concrete measures against Israel over the flotilla crisis. The global diplomatic damage to Israel continued to compound even as the immediate detention crisis was resolved.