Four Italian MPs detained by Israeli authorities after joining the Global Sumud Flotilla have been released. The other detained Italians have not been mistreated the Italian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday.
The four Italian MPs are 5-Star Movement Senator Marco Croatti, Democratic Party MEP Annalisa Corrado, Democratic Party MP Arturo Scotto, and Green Left Alliance MEP Benedetta Scuderi. They are flying back to Italy from Tel Aviv with assistance from embassy staff.
They were among 40 Italians on the flotilla, which was intercepted by the Israeli Navy while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry referred to it as the Hamas-Sumud Flotilla, though participants and organisers identify it as the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani pressed Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar for the immediate release of the lawmakers. Italian Ambassador Luca Ferrari confirmed that all the detained Italians are safe. He also confirmed they have not been mistreated.
“I spoke with the four Italian parliamentarians released by the Israeli authorities and the other Italian activists of the Flotilla in Ashdod,” Ferrari said. “They are all fine. There was no mistreatment.”
He added the Italian consul will meet activists held in Ketziot prison and that work is ongoing to secure their release.
Lawmakers on way back to Rome
The parliamentarians are already at Ben Gurion Airport and scheduled to land in Rome on Friday morning.
Israeli media reported late-night contacts between Italian officials and Mossad chief David Barnea after rumours of mistreatment spread in Rome. According to Channel 12, Barnea intervened to provide photographs of the detainees through Transport Minister Miri Regev. The photographs were to ease tensions as rumours spread.
Israel maintains that the flotilla is a provocation. It says participants received warnings they were entering an active combat zone in violation of a naval blockade. It reiterated its offer to transfer aid through official channels into Gaza.
