Italian prosecutors to probe Israeli minister Ben-Gvir over flotilla abuse
Detained Gaza-bound flotilla activists kneeling on a metal floor surrounded by containers, in a video released in late May 2026
Daniel Khalili-Tari and News Agencies report in Al Jazeera on 8 June 2026:
Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the treatment of Italian nationals detained during the interception of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza.
Italian news agency ANSA reported on Monday that prosecutors in Rome had placed Ben-Gvir under investigation in connection with a video he posted following the detention of the activists last month.
The announcement makes Italy the second European country to launch a formal investigation of Israel’s treatment of the detained activists, after France opened a probe on Friday into allegations of war crimes and torture.
Responding to the accusations, Ben-Gvir wrote on social media that Italy, commonly known as “the Boot” because of the shape of its peninsula, had become “the land of the flip-flop”. “I will not shy away from one investigation or another and will continue to stand proudly alongside our fighters,” Gvir said in a separate statement.
Italian and French prosecutors are examining the allegations to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. The Israeli Prison Service has denied allegations from activists that they were abused.