Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on June 10 strongly criticized a remark by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, after learning Italy is investigating the far-right minister over the treatment of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Speaking to Italy’s Senate, Tajani said: “These are unacceptable words that we reject; they are not worthy of a minister. Ben-Gvir’s words show the political and moral level of this man.”
The day before, Ben-Gvir had attacked Italy by saying that “the boot-shaped land has become a land of flip-flops,” referring to Italy’s geography.
The incident follows the detention last month of more than 430 activists from dozens of countries by Israeli forces off the coast of Cyprus, who were intercepted in international waters while trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
A video circulating on social media showed Ben-Gvir taunting and mistreating activists kneeling on the floor with hands tied behind their backs at the port of Ashdod, sparking international outrage.
According to Italy’s ANSA news agency, the incident prompted Italian authorities to open an investigation into allegations of torture and abduction of Italian citizens among the activists. Earlier, France also opened an investigation into allegations of war crimes and torture related to the incident.
The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on Ben-Gvir over his treatment of the activists. Although no consensus has been reached, Tajani said Rome will continue to push the EU to impose sanctions on the minister.
Last month, the EU imposed economic sanctions for the first time on extremist Israeli settlers responsible for human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
Despite growing tensions with Israel and a decision to suspend a defense agreement in April, Rome remains one of Israel’s strongest allies in Europe. Germany and Italy are the only two European countries still blocking efforts to suspend a key trade agreement between the EU and Israel. The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, accounting for more than 30% of Israel’s total goods trade with the world in 2025.
