Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Suspect in Kidnapping and Torture Case of Flotilla Activists
The Rome prosecutor's office has named Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as a suspect in an investigation into alleged torture and war crimes against activists of the pro-Palestinian flotilla Sumud. The probe was opened after Israeli authorities detained the activists, including Italian nationals, and involves charges of kidnapping, torture, sexual violence, robbery, and actions that could have caused the ship to sink.
The Sumud flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, set sail from Barcelona on April 15. On May 18, their vessel was forcibly intercepted by Israeli warships in international waters, roughly 250 nautical miles from Gaza. All participants were detained and deported. Ben-Gvir had posted a video showing Israeli forces pinning down and tying up the activists.
The flotilla group reported that about 30 activists suffered fractures and accused Israeli forces of sexual harassment. Several countries, including France and Ireland, have imposed entry bans on Ben-Gvir and another right-wing minister, Bezalel Smotrich. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said their actions "amount to a desire to see the removal of Palestinians from Palestine" and pushed for sanctions at the European Union level.
The ban aligns with Ireland's policy of preventing individuals deemed to be contributing to the crisis in Gaza from entering, following similar moves by France and other nations amid calls for international sanctions.
https://www.gelora.co/2026/06/