France launches probe into Israeli treatment of activists on Gaza aid flotilla

French prosecutors will investigate Israel's treatment of French citizens detained during a military raid on an aid flotilla headed to Gaza. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on May 22 that he had instructed state prosecutors to open a probe into allegations that Israeli forces committed sexual violence, beatings, and humiliation against activists captured while stopping the Global Sumud Flotilla earlier this month, saying the conduct may constitute criminal offenses.

Speaking on public radio France Inter, Barrot said: "Based on a report I requested from our Consul General in Turkey, who informed me of sexual violence, exposure to cold, beatings, and repeated humiliation of French citizens, all of these acts may constitute criminal offenses. I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor."

Israel has faced heavy criticism from many allies over its treatment of more than 400 people detained in international waters off the coast of Cyprus, although support for Israel and its ongoing attacks on Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Iran, and Lebanon remains intact. Israeli authorities have denied any abuse of flotilla activists.

More than 50 ships carrying citizens from about 40 countries departed from the Turkish port city of Marmaris two weeks ago in an attempt to break Israel's siege of Gaza. Israel intercepted the vessels on May 19, detained those on board, held them in harsh conditions, and then deported all foreign activists.

Thirty-seven French citizens were among those detained, describing the arrests as "extremely violent," "humiliating," and "dehumanizing."

Barrot has been at the forefront of international outrage over the abuse. Last week, he banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from France after the far-right politician posted a video showing him mocking activists who were bound and blindfolded on the ground. Like several other Israeli allies, France summoned the Israeli ambassador over the incident.

French activists said they suffered severe abuse. Meriem Hadjal, 38, said that Israeli forces "groped" her and she feared being raped when forced into a dark container. Instead, she was slapped on the head. Another activist was tortured with an electric weapon, according to her account. Adrien Jouan showed bruises on his back and alleged Israeli forces beat him while in custody. He said that non-white prisoners were treated more harshly than white ones.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Suhad Bishara, legal director at Adalah, an Israeli legal center for Palestinian rights, said that without accountability, Israel would continue to use violence against activists. "Based on the accounts we have received, and based on over a decade of representing flotilla participants, this appears to be the worst case of treatment documented in the past 10 years, potentially amounting to torture," she said. Adalah lawyers have been informed of repeated physical violence leading to serious injury, prolonged stress positions, sexual harassment, and humiliation.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which organized the aid shipment, said it has documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse. Lawyers for French activists on the flotilla said they plan to file individual complaints on behalf of their clients over allegations of rape, torture, and humiliation. The activists refused to meet with the French government to discuss their experiences, accusing it of supporting Israel's genocidal war in Gaza.