Italy opens torture investigation into Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over Gaza flotilla crackdown
Italian prosecutors have placed Israel's far-right National Security Minister under formal investigation for suspected torture and kidnapping of Italian citizens who were part of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted last month.
Flotilla stopped in international waters
In mid-May, the Israeli navy intercepted a convoy of more than 50 small boats carrying over 400 activists trying to deliver aid to Gaza. The interception took place in international waters near Cyprus. Organisers said the flotilla aimed to break Israel's blockade, which has remained in place despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas since October 2025. Among those detained were Italian and South Korean nationals. Israel says its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip is lawful.
Rome prosecutors open torture probe
On 8 June, Italian judicial sources confirmed that the Rome prosecutor's office had placed Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir under formal investigation for suspected torture and kidnapping. The probe focuses on the treatment of Italian citizens among the detained activists. Ben-Gvir, a far-right figure, had in late May released a video on X showing bound and kneeling activists being forced to the ground. If the investigation finds sufficient grounds, prosecutors could request a formal trial.
I will not shy away from one investigation or another and will continue to stand proudly alongside our fighters.
Ben-Gvir insults Italy, Rome hits back
Responding to the news of the investigation, Ben-Gvir posted on X that the "country of the boot has become the country of flip-flops." The insult drew an immediate rebuke. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the Senate the words were unacceptable and not worthy of a minister, adding that Italy is a friend of Israel that has always defended freedom and democracy.
The words of Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir against Italy are unacceptable. Italy is a country that is a friend of Israel, that has always defended freedom, democracy and is a protagonist of peace.
Activists recount severe abuse
Journalist Alessandro Mantovani of Il Fatto Quotidiano, who was on one of the boats, described what he witnessed upon arrival at an Israeli port. La Repubblica reported that medical documentation corroborates accounts of beatings, broken bones, sexual abuse, firearms held to heads and knives to throats, use of dogs and Tasers, and deprivation of water while hands and feet were bound.
They beat me, they beat Dario Carotenuto, and others were beaten much more than us. I saw people with possible broken arms and ribs. Almost everyone who went through the entry container was beaten and we could hear the screams from outside.
- Israeli navy intercepts the Gaza aid flotilla in international waters near Cyprus, detaining more than 400 activists.
- Activist and journalist Alessandro Mantovani arrives in Rome after release via Turkey, describing beatings and broken bones.
- Ben-Gvir posts a video on X showing detained activists kneeling with hands bound; the footage draws international condemnation.
- Rome prosecutors formally open an investigation into Ben-Gvir for torture and deprivation of liberty.
- Ben-Gvir responds by insulting Italy; Foreign Minister Tajani calls the remarks unacceptable.
Mounting international pressure
The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, had already called the treatment of the activists "unacceptable" and summoned the Israeli ambassador. Italy subsequently asked the European Union to discuss sanctions against Ben-Gvir. France has already banned him from its territory, and Ireland and Poland have imposed entry bans. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have distanced themselves from Ben-Gvir's conduct. The flotilla organisers maintain their aim was purely humanitarian, while aid bodies say essential supplies remain scarce in Gaza.
