France urges probe into mistreatment of flotilla activists

PARIS: France’s government said on Friday that it’s asking prosecutors to investigate Israel’s alleged violent mistreatment of activists from a flotilla to Gaza, potentially opening a route for criminal proceedings.

France had already announced an indefinite ban from French territory of Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, for what it called his “unspeakable” behavior toward flotilla activists while they were in Israeli detention, after they attempted to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noe Barrot’s decision to now ask French prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges might be warranted is an additional signal of Paris’ displeasure.

Speaking on Friday to public broadcaster France Inter, Barrot said he received a report from French diplomats in Turkiye that “detailed sexual violence, exposure to cold, beatings and repeated humiliations of French nationals — all acts that could constitute criminal offenses.”

“I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor,” he said.

“This case is now in the hands of the justice system.”

Under French criminal procedure law, prosecutors determine how to follow up on complaints and whether to pursue charges.

The Global Sumud Flotilla of 50 boats was intercepted this month in international waters, some 400km off the coast of Israel.

The Israeli government subsequently released and deported hundreds of the activists to Turkiye.

Activists accused Israeli forces of mistreatment in detention, describing beatings, tasers, and attack dogs. Israel denied mistreatment.

Ben-Gvir sparked global outrage after promoting a video of himself taunting detained activists.

In a May 23 post announcing a ban on Ben-Gvir entering French territory, Barrot said: “We cannot tolerate that French nationals can be threatened, intimidated or brutalized in this way — all the more so by a public official.”

Meanwhile, the EU formally sanctioned seven Israeli settlers and organizations over violence against Palestinians and settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The sanctions consist of travel bans and asset freezes, and EU citizens and companies are also banned from making funds, financial assets, or other economic resources available to those listed.

The sanctioned individuals included Daniella Weiss, a leading figure in the settler movement.

The EU also sanctioned 10 representatives of Hamas, the European Council, representing the 27 member states, said.

On May 11, EU foreign ministers agreed on the sanctions, which had been stalled by Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, but his ouster paved the way for the lifting of the veto.

The occupied West Bank has been gripped by almost daily violence involving Israeli troops and settlers since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

The EU has also come under pressure from Spain and Italy to sanction Israel’s national security minister.