US condemns Ben-Gvir video as Treasury sanctions flotilla organisers

The United States on May 20, 2026 criticised Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he posted a video showing him taunting detained activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The comments came as the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions targeting four organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The episode drew scrutiny from analysts who said Washington was sending mixed messages as governments in Europe and Canada moved to challenge Israel over the incident.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made the condemnation public in a social media post that described the reaction inside Israel as “universal outrage from every high-ranking Israeli official.” He referenced criticism of Ben-Gvir from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

The Treasury sanctions were announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who described the effort as a “pro-terror flotilla” and alleged the organisers supported Hamas. The announcement said the four people were tied to the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) and Samidoun.

Allies summon Israeli ambassadors over the video

The condemnation followed a broader diplomatic backlash after Ben-Gvir shared the footage. Italy, France, the Netherlands and Canada summoned Israeli ambassadors over the video, according to the account in the source material.

Analysts cited in the repoSources said the United States appeared out of step with other Western governments that emphasise international law concepts such as freedom of navigation in international waters and the treatment of civilians. Michael Omer-Man of DAWN and Annelle Sheline of the Quincy Institute argued that Washington’s approach, even when it includes criticism of Ben-Gvir, has been seen as broadly supportive of Israel under the Trump administration.

Sanctions policy draws accusations of a double standard

Critics in the repoSources said the latest sanctions reinforced Israeli arguments that efforts to breach the Gaza blockade are illegal. They also said the measures risk fostering impunity and emboldening far-right elements within Israel.

The article also noted prior policy shifts under the current U.S. administration, including lifting sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and imposing sanctions on Palestinian civil society organisations.

Officials have not indicated whether additional U.S. measures are planned, and diplomats will be watching whether the dispute widens as more governments respond to the flotilla incident and to Washington’s sanctions decision.