“The country of the boot has become the country of the flip flop”: Mocking reaction of an Israeli minister investigated by Italy
Italian prosecutors are investigating Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, over the treatment of activists who were part of a humanitarian flotilla that tried to reach the Gaza Strip last month, a judicial source told Reuters.
The source, who requested anonymity, confirmed information previously published by Italian news agencies and said Ben-Gvir is being investigated on suspicion of torturing and kidnapping Italian citizens who were among the activists.
If the investigation determines there are grounds to file charges, prosecutors could file a formal request for indictment.
In response to the Italian investigation, Ben-Gvir said in a statement: “I will not shy away from any investigation and will continue to stand proudly with our fighters.”
“The country of the boot has become the country of the flip-flop,” he added, referring to Italy's boot-like shape.
His comments drew a harsh reaction from Antonio Tajani, Italy's foreign minister.
“I have no words to comment on what Ben-Gvir said about Italy. They are unacceptable words, which we send back to the sender; they are not worthy of a minister,” Tajani wrote on the “X” social network on Tuesday.
And Giorgia Meloni harshly criticized Israel's treatment of activists
Israel and Ben-Gvir faced mounting international criticism after the minister released a video in late May showing activists detained on their way to Gaza kneeling and with their hands tied. Israel intercepted the humanitarian flotilla in international waters.
Flotilla organizers said that among the 430 activists detained by Israeli police were citizens of Italy and South Korea.
In a video posted by Ben-Gvir on X, police officers knocked an activist to the ground after she chanted “Free Palestine, free Palestine.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government described the treatment of the activists as “unacceptable” and summoned Israel's ambassador to explain.
Later, Italy asked the European Union to discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions against Ben-Gvir, while France decided to deny him access to its territory.
“The voluntary abusive treatment of the flotilla team and the protesters, many European citizens, is against the right to human dignity”, declared Oana Țoiu, head of Romanian diplomacy.
Organizers of the flotilla say they aimed to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip by delivering humanitarian aid. According to aid organizations, these are still insufficient, despite the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, which is in place from October 2025 and includes guarantees of increased aid.
Israel maintains that its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip is legal.
