Italy has opened a criminal investigation into Israel’s far-right national security minister Ben-Gvir following the interception of a pro-Palestinian flotilla last month. Allegations include torture and kidnapping of activists, among them Italian nationals.
Rome’s public prosecutor has formally registered Itamar Ben-Gvir as a suspect in a criminal probe that has been under way for several weeks, news agency ANSA reported on Monday. The investigation was triggered in part by a video Ben-Gvir posted to social media showing him taunting and humiliating dozens of bound and kneeling activists. The activists had been detained after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Cyprus. The footage drew widespread condemnation, including from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the conduct was inconsistent with Israel’s values.
Among the specific cases before Rome’s magistrates are formal complaints relating to two activists — Thiago de Ávila and Saif Abukeshek Abdelrahim. The men were detained for several days, subsequently expelled, and had been aboard vessels flying the Italian flag when removed by Israeli security forces.
The flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Sicily on 26 April with the aim of breaking Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian supplies. Around 1,000 activists aboard approximately 60 vessels took part, making it the largest pro-Palestinian flotilla of its kind. Organisers alleged that several deported activists were hospitalised with injuries sustained in Israeli custody. Furthermore, at least 15 reported sexual assaults including rape. The Israel Prison Service denied all such claims, stating detainees were held in accordance with the law and received professional medical care.
The minister was dismissive. In a post on X he mocked Italy — playing on its nickname “the Boot” — as “the land of the flip-flop,”. He stated he would “continue to stand proudly alongside our fighters.”
Broader European response
Italy is not acting alone. France opened its own investigation the previous week into alleged war crimes and torture concerning French citizens on the flotilla, pursued by the national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office at the government’s request. Ireland has issued a travel ban for both Ben-Gvir and Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich. Taoiseach Mícheál Martin stated the two ministers’ words and actions amounted to “a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine.”
EU foreign ministers are due to meet in Luxembourg next Monday to discuss possible sanctions. Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani has already called for sanctions to proceed, stating Ben-Gvir had “crossed the red line” with acts violating “the most basic human rights.”
The investigation reflects a significant cooling between Rome and Jerusalem. Giorgia Meloni’s government was among Israel’s strongest European supporters when it took office in 2022. However, the government has moved steadily toward a harder line, taking stronger positions on Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, and backing EU sanctions on violent Israeli settlers.
Following Ben-Gvir’s original video, Meloni stated, “It is not acceptable that these activists, many of whom are Italian citizens, are subjected to treatment that violates human dignity. Italy demands an apology.”
