Italy has joined France as the only European countries to launch a formal investigation into Israel’s abuse of activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Italian prosecutors have opened a probe into Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the treatment of Italian nationals detained during the interception of the flotilla, which was attempting to break Israel’s siege of Gaza.
The investigation follows the interception of the flotilla in international waters off Cyprus last month, during which Israeli forces detained more than 400 activists from over 40 countries.
In footage circulated after the raid, Ben-Gvir is seen mocking detainees while they knelt on the ground with their hands bound behind their backs. Many activists recounted experiencing physical and sexual abuse by the Israeli officers.
Following reports of the investigation, Ben-Gvir launched a public attack on Italy, saying: ‘The country of the boot has become the country of the flip-flops.’
