Middle East Crisis Protests

After Gaza Convoy: France Investigates Israel for War Crimes

France is opening an investigation into torture and war crimes, in connection with Israel's treatment of activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla convoy, the French Public Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) told AFP.

The announcement comes after Israel's Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was deported from French territory. The minister published a clip on May 20 in which he humiliates captured and tied up Gaza activists.

Israel has denied the allegations of ill-treatment.

Criticism of Ben-Gvir — it's about the point

• Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video in which he humiliated captured activists from the Gaza convoy Global Sumud Flotilla in Ashdod on May 20, 2026.
• The video showed activists tied behind their backs and forced to their knees, which led to Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands summoning Israel's ambassadors in protest.
• The US Ambassador to Israel and foreign ministers from more than ten countries, including Sweden, condemned Ben-Gvir's actions and demanded respect for the activists' rights.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar distanced themselves from Ben-Gvir's actions, saying they did not reflect Israel's values.
• Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard joined the criticism, calling Ben-Gvir's actions indefensible, while Sweden is pushing for sanctions against extremist Israeli ministers.