PARIS — France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office announced a preliminary investigation against Israel regarding allegations of torture and war crimes against Gaza aid flotilla activists. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot submitted a formal referral to the prosecutor's office to initiate the investigation.
The preliminary investigation will be conducted by the Central Office for Combating Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes. France banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country. Ben-Gvir published a video showing detained activists at Ashdod Port. In the video, Ben-Gvir said, "Welcome to Israel, we are the masters of this house." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office distanced itself from the video published by Ben-Gvir.
France forwarded a consular report to the prosecution. This report alleged physical abuse, humiliation, and sexual violence against 37 French nationals aboard the flotilla. The Global Sumud Flotilla stated it documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse. Lawyers representing French flotilla activists plan to file a separate complaint alleging rape, torture, and humiliation.
Israeli naval ships intercepted the flotilla in international waters on May 18. Approximately 430 activists from about 40 countries were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. Israeli authorities transferred the intercepted participants to Ketziot prison and subsequently deported them. Two French activists remained hospitalized in Turkey upon returning to France on May 22. A returnee described being slapped by a soldier inside a dark container. Another returnee recounted detainees being held on their knees with heads on the ground for several hours while the Israeli national anthem played on repeat.
Suhad Bishara, Legal Director, said, "Based on accounts received, and drawing on over a decade of representing flotilla participants, this appears to be the most severe case of ill-treatment documented in the past 10 years, potentially amounting to torture." The Adalah Legal Center submitted a formal demand to the Israel Prison Service to investigate allegations made by German activist Anna Liedke. Liedke alleged she was subjected to an invasive strip search at Givon Prison. She said, "Three female guards holding metal detectors were inside the space. Although the curtain was closed, masked and armed male guards could still be seen standing behind it and watching what was happening." Adalah said in a statement, "During her transfer from the port to the Ketziot prison, our client, along with other participants, experienced physical and verbal violence from security forces and prison guards. This included prolonged shackling, the use of plastic zip-ties, blindfolding, shouting, threats, including threats of rape, and physical assaults."
The Israel Prison Service stated the allegations of mistreatment were entirely without factual basis. One Israeli citizen aboard the flotilla was released by a court with assistance from Adalah and returned to Germany. Flotilla activists refused to meet with the French government to discuss their detention experiences.