Italy Asks EU to Impose Sanctions on Israeli Minister

The geopolitical crisis resulting from armed clashes and human rights violations in the Near East has reached the borders of the European Union. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

The Italian government has sent an official appeal to the European Union with an initiative to impose severe economic and political restrictions on Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who bypassed international law norms and carried out acts contrary to humanity. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani issued a statement regarding this serious situation, demanding on behalf of the country's leadership that EU High Representative Kaja Kallas immediately place the issue of sanctions against Minister Ben-Gvir on the agenda.

This was caused by the minister's unacceptable actions against a convoy of ships delivering humanitarian aid. In particular, the use of force against peace activists in the open sea, namely in international waters, and their brutal persecution are being assessed as a gross violation of human rights.

Another aspect that caused sharp indignation within the international community is that the videos posted by Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir himself on social networks depict horrific scenes. In them, activists of the Sumud flotilla, which aimed to deliver medical aid and food to the population of the Gaza Strip—which is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe due to hunger and war—are seen being humiliated.

The video captures the minister using physical force rudely, even against women. According to the details of the incident, the humanitarian convoy that departed from Turkey's Marmaris port in May of this year was stopped by Israeli military forces in international waters.

Israeli military personnel detained more than 400 volunteers from over 40 countries. The fact that 32 Italian citizens were among these captives was the final straw for Rome officials.

Influential political forces in Italy are expressing their uncompromising attitude toward this incident. They emphasize that such actions by a country considered an ally on paper, especially the application of physical pressure against Italian citizens and members of parliament, completely contradict international diplomatic relations.

This situation is expected to have a serious impact on future relations between the European Union and Israel.