Flotilla activists blindfolded and forced to their knees; eventually even Meloni criticises Israel

Brussels – They are reminiscent of Guantanamo, but this is Israel: these are images of activists from Global Sumud Flotilla handcuffed, blindfolded, and kneeling, which, today (20 May), the Israeli Minister of National Security himself, Itamar Ben-Gvir, proudly posted on his social media channels with the caption “Welcome to Israel”. A video in which Israeli prison guards and soldiers drag and abuse those who were on board the ships and who were peacefully attempting to break the illegal blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. Ben Gvir himself was seen humiliating those arrested. Among the crew members were twenty-nine Italian citizens, including the Five Star Movement MP, Dario Carotenuto, and the journalist, Alessandro Mantovani. 

Images of violent, degrading, and humiliating treatment following operations against vessels carried out by the IDF and the Israeli authorities, even in international waters. There was an immediate reaction from the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. In a diplomatic note, posted on her social media channels, Meloni described it as “unacceptable that these protesters, including many Italian citizens, should be subjected to treatment that undermines human dignity.” She then reiterated that the government “is immediately taking all necessary steps at the highest institutional levels to secure the immediate release of the Italian citizens involved” and that “Italy also demands an apology for the treatment meted out to these protesters and for the total disregard shown towards the Italian government’s explicit requests.” The President finally announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation “will immediately summon the Israeli ambassador to seek formal clarification on what has happened.” This news was also confirmed by the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, who added that “what emerges from Minister Ben Gvir’s video is absolutely unacceptable and contrary to every basic principle of human dignity.” 

Outraged reactions have also come from Brussels. A delegation from the Five Star Movement in the European Parliament has called on Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas to condemn the unjustified and blatant violence that the Flotilla activists are suffering in Israel. “The treatment suffered by unarmed citizens, travelling with essential supplies to Gaza, is shameful and cannot be tolerated,” underlined the Five Star Movement, which asked, “What else must happen before we see a show of dignity from the European institutions?“ 

One of the group’s MEPs, Gaetano Pedullà, has instead openly accused the centre-right majority in the European Parliament of covering up “the repeated and shameful Israeli crimes on the day that the Flotilla activists were mistreated, forced to their knees, and humiliated in front of the cameras.” He also points out that the MEPs from Fratelli d’Italia, Lega, and Forza Italia voted against the amendment to the Kovatchev report, tabled by M5S MEP Danilo Della Valle, which called for “the immediate imposition of an arms embargo to prohibit the sale, transfer, and transit of arms, ammunition, military equipment, and dual-use goods to Israel.” He then referred to the report“Made in Italy for the genocide industry: military and energy exports to Israel”, according to which Italy “has continued to export military equipment to Israel without interruption since October 2023, despite war crimes, illegal military operations in Iran and Lebanon, and ongoing human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza.“ 

The Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) has stated on X that “Israel’s apparently inhumane treatment of the flotilla activists, including EU citizens, is unacceptable,” and that “the detention of civilians in international waters and the denial of their dignity constitute a further violation of international law.” For this reason, “the activists must be released immediately.” 

At the moment (it is 7.40 pm on 20 May), however, there have been no statements or posts from EU leaders. The only exception is a post on X by the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, commenting on Ben Gvir’s video. “These are not convicted criminals. These are activists who are trying to bring bread to the hungry. 

‘Peaceful activism and freedom of assembly are fundamental rights. Civilians must be protected. International humanitarian law must be respected. No one should be punished for defending humanity,” she wrote.