The row erupted after Italy mentioned it was investigating the far-right minister over his therapy of Gaza flotilla activists.
Printed On 9 Jun 2026
Italy’s International Minister Antonio Tajani has referred to as “unacceptable” feedback made by Israeli far-right Nationwide Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after studying he was being investigated over the therapy of International Sumud Flotilla activists.
“These are unacceptable phrases that we reject; they’re unworthy of a minister,” Tajani mentioned in Italy’s Senate on Tuesday. “Ben-Gvir’s phrases display the political and ethical stage of this gentleman.”
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A day earlier, Ben-Gvir had slammed Italy, saying the “land of the boot has change into the land of the flip-flop”, in reference to the nation’s geographical form.
Greater than 430 activists from dozens of nations had been detained by Israeli authorities off the coast of Cyprus final month after being intercepted in worldwide waters as they had been attempting to interrupt the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
A broadly shared video on social media confirmed the minister mocking and mistreating activists kneeling on the ground with their fingers tied behind their backs within the port of Ashdod, drawing a world outcry.
In response to Italy’s ANSA information company, the transfer prompted Italian authorities to open an inquiry into the alleged torture and kidnapping of Italian residents who had been among the many activists. Final week, France additionally opened an investigation into allegations of battle crimes and torture.
The European Union is contemplating sanctions on Ben-Gvir for his therapy of activists. To this point, EU officers have did not discover a consensus, however Tajani mentioned on Tuesday Rome would proceed to push for the bloc to sanction the minister.
Final month, the EU moved for the first time to impose financial restrictions on violent settlers answerable for human rights abuses within the occupied West Financial institution.
Regardless of rising tensions with Israel and Italy’s resolution to suspend a defence agreement in April, Rome stays one in every of its strongest allies in Europe. Germany and Italy are the 2 remaining European nations which were blocking a bid to droop a key commerce settlement between the EU and Israel.
The EU is Israel’s largest buying and selling associate, accounting for greater than 30 p.c of Israel’s complete commerce in items with the world in 2025.
