Israeli National Security Minister says he is unfazed by Italy’s decision to launch investigation into detention of pro-Hamas activists who attempted to run Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.
By World Israel News Staff
Italian prosecutors are investigating Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the detention of anti-Israel activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces last month.
The probe centers on allegations involving Italian citizens who were among hundreds of activists taken into custody after the flotilla was stopped at sea.
According to Italian news agency ANSA, prosecutors are examining allegations of torture and kidnapping. Reuters reported that a judicial source confirmed the investigation.
The case follows international criticism of a video published by Ben-Gvir showing detained activists at Ashdod Port kneeling with their hands bound. In the footage, Ben-Gvir is seen walking among the detainees while carrying an Israeli flag. In one section, officers force an activist to the ground after she chants, “Free, free Palestine.”
Ben-Gvir rejected the investigation and said he would not change his conduct.
“Israel isn’t a punching bag for a gang of lying terror supporters who invent libels and lies against our fighters,” he said.
“I am undeterred by this sort of investigation and will continue to stand proudly with our soldiers,” he added.
The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which claimed it was trying to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade. Israel says the blockade is legal and necessary for security reasons, and has noted that no humanitarian aid was found on the seized flotilla vessels.
The video drew criticism from several countries whose nationals were among those detained.
Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador after the footage emerged, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government described the treatment of the activists as unacceptable.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani later asked the European Union to discuss sanctions against Ben-Gvir.
He said the request was made in response to “the unacceptable acts committed against the Flotilla, seizing the activists in international waters and subjecting them to harassment and humiliation, in violation of the most basic human rights.”
France has also moved against Ben-Gvir, barring him from entering the country. French prosecutors opened a separate investigation into the treatment of French citizens detained in the flotilla incident.
The footage also drew rare criticism from inside Israel’s government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had the right to stop flotillas from reaching Gaza, but said Ben-Gvir’s conduct was not acceptable.
“Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza,” Netanyahu said after the video was published. “However, the way that Minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also criticized the video at the time, saying Israel had to act according to its own standards even when dealing with hostile activists.
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