Italian Public Prosecutor Opens Investigation Against Ben Gvir Over "Freedom Fleet"

SadaNews - The Italian public prosecutor has opened an investigation today, Monday, against Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir regarding the "Freedom Fleet" case, as part of inquiries into the Israeli authorities' interception of a ship and the detention of activists aboard it under inhumane conditions.

According to the Italian news agency "ANSA," Monday evening, the investigation against Ben Gvir is linked to statements he made last May, mocking activists who were kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs in Ashdod port after being detained by Israeli authorities.

The agency added that the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rome opened a case several weeks ago regarding the interception of "Freedom Fleet" activists, with suspicions also being investigated regarding torture and illegal detention.

According to the report, the investigation includes the interception of the activists, among whom are Italian citizens, by Israeli authorities, and the conditions surrounding their detention after the ship was taken control of.

In his response to the investigation, Ben Gvir criticized the Italian authorities, asserting that "The land of the shoe has now become the land of the flip-flop."

He added: "Israel is not a punching bag for a group of false terrorism supporters fabricating slanders and lies against our fighters."

He continued: "I will not be intimidated by this investigation or any other, and I will continue to stand proudly beside our fighters."

The investigation comes in the context of the "Global Freedom Fleet" which set sail in April towards the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the siege imposed on it, involving dozens of activists, supporters, and political figures from Italy and other European countries, departing from ports in Sicily.

The way Israeli authorities dealt with the participants in the fleet, after intercepting the ships in international waters and escorting them to Ashdod port, has sparked angry reactions in Italy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described those scenes as "unacceptable and humiliating to human dignity," demanding clarifications from Israel, while Rome summoned the Israeli ambassador.

Official criticisms escalated later with Italian President Sergio Mattarella weighing in, strongly criticizing Ben Gvir's behavior, coinciding with testimonies from Italian deputies who participated in the fleet, stating that they were subjected to assault and mistreatment after their detention.

The ongoing investigations in Rome coincide with legal movements at the international level, as lawyers have submitted requests to the International Criminal Court to expand the scope of investigations related to the war in Gaza, to also include suspected violations against the international participants in the "Freedom Fleet."