Israel distances itself from Ben-Gvir over 'monstrous' video

In Israel on May 21, 2026, Israel distanced itself from minister Ben-Gvir over a video, called “monstrous,” that showed bound Gaza flotilla activists. Global outrage mounted after the Israeli minister taunted the activists. The president of the European Council said he was shocked by Ben-Gvir's treatment of the flotilla members and called for their immediate release, and Pakistan's Foreign Office condemned their mistreatment. Turkey sent flights to Israel to bring back activists, and Seoul welcomed the release of two South Koreans captured by Israel. EU sanctions against Ben-Gvir moved closer, according to Der Spiegel.

Separately, Axios reported that Netanyahu's “hair was on fire” after a tense call with Trump as the US sidelined an Iran strike in favor of a deal. Haaretz described an impasse over Iran, with Trump undecided and Netanyahu urgent to restart the war.