Israel criticises its national security minister over controversial activist video

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has sharply criticised National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the publication of a controversial video showing detained pro-Palestinian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla.

In a post on X, he said his “disgraceful display” has deliberately harmed the Israeli state — and “not for the first time,” Caliber.Az reports.

You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display - and not for the first time.

You have undone tremendous, professional, and successful efforts made by so many people - from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others.

No, you are not the face of… https://t.co/KOj6fhpyM7

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) May 20, 2026

“You have undone tremendous, professional, and successful efforts made by so many people - from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others. No, you are not the face of Israel,” he wrote.

The Foreign Minister’s remarks marked an unusually public rift within Israel’s government over the handling of the incident.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov