Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over his treatment of activists who were part of the Gaza flotilla last month, a judicial source said on Monday.
The source, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed earlier reports by Italian news agencies and said Ben-Gwir was under investigation on suspicion of torturing and kidnapping Italian citizens who were among the activists.
If the investigation determines that there are grounds for charges, prosecutors could file a formal motion for trial.
Reacting to the Italian investigation, Ben-Gwir said in a statement: "I will not back down from any investigation and will continue to proudly stand with our fighters."
"The land of the boot has become the land of the slipper," he added, alluding to Italy's geographical shape, which resembles a boot.
His comments drew sharp condemnation from Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
"I have no words to comment on what Ben-Gvir said about Italy. Unacceptable words that we return to the sender; they are not worthy of a minister," Tajani wrote today on the X platform.
Israel and Ben-Gwir have faced growing international criticism after the minister released a video in late May showing detained Gaza activists kneeling with their hands tied, after Israel intercepted an aid flotilla in international waters.
Organizers said that among the 430 activists detained by Israeli police were citizens of Italy and South Korea.
In a video posted by Ben-Gwir on X, police officers tackled an activist to the ground after she shouted, "Free, free Palestine."
The government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni described the treatment of the activists as "unacceptable" and summoned the Israeli ambassador for talks to demand an explanation.
Italy then asked the European Union to consider sanctions against Ben-Gwir, while France decided to ban him from entering its territory.
The flotilla's organizers say their goal was to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid, which aid organizations say remains insufficient, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been in effect since October 2025 and includes guarantees of increased aid.
Israel claims that its naval blockade of Gaza is legal.
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