Italy Names Ben-Gvir as Suspect in Flotilla Activist Arrest Case

The Rome prosecutor’s office has added Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to its register of suspects in an investigation into alleged torture and war crimes against activists from the pro-Palestinian flotilla Sumud. The newspaper la Repubblica reported on Monday that the inquiry was opened several weeks ago after Israeli authorities detained the flotilla activists, including a number of Italian citizens. According to the report, lawyers for the plaintiffs allege possible criminal offences, including kidnapping, torture, sexual violence, robbery, and actions potentially capable of causing a shipwreck. The Sumud flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, sailed from Barcelona on 15 April. On 18 May, flotilla organisers stated their vessel was surrounded and forcibly intercepted by Israeli warships in international waters, approximately 250 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. All flotilla participants were then detained before ultimately being deported from Israel. On 20 May, Itamar Ben-Gvir uploaded a video showing Israeli forces pinning down and binding the detained activists face-down. The flotilla organisers later reported that around 30 activists sustained bone fractures and accused Israeli forces of subjecting participants to sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Jean-Noel Barrot stated on 23 May that France has barred Ben-Gvir from entering its territory.