Italy has formally requested that the European Union impose sanctions on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, following the release of a video showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla being forced to kneel with their hands bound and foreheads on the ground. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the request on X, stating that the actions constituted “unacceptable acts” that violated basic human rights.
The video, posted by Ben Gvir on Wednesday, depicts activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla—intercepted in international waters—being subjected to what Tajani described as “harassment and humiliation.” The flotilla, which set sail from Turkey, was attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza, a territory that has been under Israeli control since 2007 and has faced severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials during the ongoing war triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack.
European Condemnation Mounts
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the immediate release of detained Italian activists and demanded an apology from Israel. “It is intolerable that these protesters, among whom there are many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity,” she said in a statement. Ireland and Spain have also joined Italy in calling for EU sanctions against Ben Gvir.
France summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest the video. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot wrote on X, “I have requested that the Israeli ambassador to France be summoned to express our indignation and obtain an explanation.” Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, described the treatment as “wholly unacceptable” and welcomed criticism from within Israel itself. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who also summoned the Israeli envoy in Madrid, called the treatment “monstrous, disgraceful, and inhumane.”
The coordinated European response underscores a growing rift between EU member states and Israel over its conduct in the conflict. For more on the broader diplomatic context, see our coverage of Italy and France Condemn Israel's Treatment of Gaza Flotilla Detainees.
Internal Israeli Criticism
The video also drew sharp rebukes from within Israel’s government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “The way minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel's values and norms. I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar was more direct, posting on X: “You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display and not for the first time. You have undone tremendous, professional, and successful efforts made by so many people from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others. No, you are not the face of Israel.”
This internal dissent highlights the political tensions within Israel’s coalition, where far-right figures like Ben Gvir often clash with more moderate voices. For a deeper look at the fallout, read our analysis of Netanyahu Rebukes Minister After Video Shows Taunting of Gaza Flotilla Activists.
Broader Implications for EU-Israel Relations
The EU’s push for sanctions against a sitting Israeli minister marks a significant escalation in diplomatic pressure. While the bloc has previously condemned Israeli settlement expansion and military actions, targeting a specific minister is rare. The move could further strain relations, especially as the EU continues to navigate its stance on the Gaza war and the humanitarian crisis there.
Israel’s blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007, has been a persistent point of contention. The flotilla incident is the latest in a series of attempts by activists to draw attention to the blockade, which has contributed to severe shortages of essential supplies during the war. The EU has repeatedly called for unimpeded humanitarian access, but progress has been limited.
As European capitals weigh their next steps, the incident also raises questions about the EU’s ability to enforce its values on the international stage. For context on how the EU is handling other foreign policy challenges, see our report on EU Vows to Maintain Pressure on Russia as UK and US Adjust Sanctions.
The flotilla activists, numbering around 430 according to Israeli authorities, were taken to Ashdod port, where some remain detained. The Adalah rights group has confirmed that some have already arrived at the port. The EU’s response will be closely watched as a test of its commitment to human rights and its ability to act collectively on the world stage.
