Israeli minister of Transport Miri Regev has criticised Gaza-bound flotilla activists who were detained and some later released by Israel.

In a video released on Thursday (May 21) showing Regev touring Ashdod port, she said: "This is what should be done to supporters of terror who came to break the blockade."

Regev, a member of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political party, and far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted campaign-style videos of themselves visiting the port and lambasting the protesters, attention-grabbing antics ahead of potential early elections in Israel.

Reuters verified the ship seen in the video by its deck structure, bridge, stairs and container which matched Reuters footage of the vessel that arrived in Ashdod port on May 20 and was reportedly carrying foreign activists. Reuters could not independently confirm that the vessel was carrying foreign activists. But the features of some people under arrest seen in a video uploaded by Ben Gvir and verified by Reuters matched visuals of some participants on the Global Sumud Flotilla. Reuters confirmed the location of the footage from port layout, buildings and lamp poles which matched file and satellite image. The exact date when the video was filmed could not be verified, but no older version of the video was found posted online before May 20.

The activists were arrested in Ashdod, a port in southern Israel, after the Israeli navy intercepted their protest flotilla in international waters. Their treatment by police officers under Itamar Ben-Gvir's direction drew an international outcry and a rebuke from Netanyahu.

The detention and taunting of the activists led France, Canada, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands to summon top Israeli diplomats in their countries.

Canada and Spain are among countries that have imposed sanctions on Ben-Gvir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, citing allegations that they incited violence against Palestinians.

Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations by activists that they were abused after the flotilla was intercepted. Activists who were part of previous flotillas intercepted by Israel also said they faced abuse by Israeli forces, something Israel rejected.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VIDEO OF ISRAELI TRANSPORT MINISTER MIRI REGEV VISITING ASHDOD PORT, WHERE THE FLOTILLA ACTIVISTS WERE DETAINED, SPEAKING ABOUT THE FLOTILLA

VERIFICATION:

- Deck structure, bridge, stairs and container of the ship seen in video matched Reuters footage of the vessel that arrived in Ashdod port on May 20 and was reportedly carrying foreign activists.

- Reuters could not independently confirm that the vessel was carrying foreign activists, but the features of some people under arrest seen in a video uploaded by Ben Gvir and verified by Reuters matched visuals of some participants on the Global Sumud Flotilla.

- The date was not verified, but no older version of the video was found posted online before May 20.

Port layout, buildings and lamp poles matched file and satellite images

- Exact date could not verified, but no older version of the video was found posted online before May 20

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: ASHDOD PORT, ISRAEL (RELEASED MAY 21, 2026) (ORIGINALLY SHOT IN PORTRAIT) (MIRI REGEV VIA INSTAGRAM - MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY Miri Regev via Instagram) (EDITED AT SOURCE)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI TRANSPORT MINISTER MIRI REGEV DURING VISIT TO ASHDOD PORT, SAYING:

"All those who come here, those terror supporters, come and listen to Hatikva (Israeli national anthem) Hatikva on a loop so that they will understand what happens to those who come to Israel in this manner."

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI TRANSPORT MINISTER MIRI REGEV DURING VISIT TO ASHDOD PORT, SAYING:

"Here, another boat is approaching with 140 terror supporters, I promise you they did not bring any humanitarian aid, they have no connection whatsoever to humanitarianism. They arrived drugged," (VOICE OVER VIDEO OF BOAT SAILING) with alcohol (VIEW OF REGEV INSIDE BUILDING OF PORT) to harm the sovereignty of the State of Israel, (VIEW OF REGEV BY PORT) to violate the naval blockade. These terrorism supporters' place is prison, and we will carry out deportations back to their countries of origin. (VARIOUS OF REGEV WITH NAVAL PERSONNEL AT PORT)

I want to say a good word about the female and male fighters of the navy and the commander of the navy, who did an excellent job taking control at sea. Of course also to the Israel Police, the prison wardens, and the Israel Prison Service, who are doing excellent work here, extracting the supporters of terrorism and bringing them to where they belong — in detention facilities.”