Italy Opens Investigation Into Minister Itamar Ben Gvir

Italy’s prosecutor general’s office announced today (Monday) that it has decided to open an investigation into Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir. The move follows a complaint filed in Rome by several Italian citizens who were detained last month at sea by the IDF while taking part in a flotilla to the Gaza Strip.

The activists said they were brought to Israel and "humiliated" by IDF soldiers and police officers, allegedly with Minister Ben Gvir’s encouragement. The Italian news agency ANSA reported that the activists presented as evidence a video showing the Israeli minister allegedly "humiliating" them while they were being held at the Port of Ashdod during his visit there.

The pro-Palestinian activists also alleged that they were beaten and humiliated while handcuffed, blindfolded, and forced to kneel on the floor. In their complaint, they said that Ben Gvir "mocked them" and said they would be jailed alongside terrorists.

Following the release of the video, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the incident, saying that a "red line" had been crossed, and summoned Israel’s ambassador for a formal reprimand. ANSA’s news desk also noted that President Sergio Mattarella described the behavior as "the lowest level" for a government minister. Italy also appealed to the European Union and asked that sanctions be imposed on Ben Gvir.