Italy Summons Israeli Ambassador Demanding The Immediate Release Of All Italians.

Rome; May 2026: On instructions from Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia, summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Italy, Jonathan Peled, to the Ministry today to express the Italian government’s strong protest regarding the incident involving Italian citizens of the Freedom Flotilla. During the meeting, the immediate release and rapid return to Italy of all Italian nationals still held was requested.

The Secretary General reiterated, at Minister Tajani’s direction, the unacceptability of what happened, especially given that the citizens involved were not armed and had no violent intentions. He also highlighted the gravity of the intervention in international waters and expressed strong outrage at the images released in recent hours.

It was underlined, as Minister Tajani anticipated today, that the Italian government reserves the right to evaluate the most appropriate political initiatives to be taken, including at European level. The Farnesina continues to monitor the case closely, in constant contact with the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israeli authorities, to ensure maximum assistance to the Italian nationals involved and facilitate their swift, safe return.

Earlier, on 19th May, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has asked the Italian Ambassador to Israel, Luca Ferrari, to take a further formal step with the Israeli authorities to ensure that all Italian citizens participating in the Gaza Flotilla are treated with dignity, fully protected, and guaranteed their safety during any administrative, security, or logistical operations conducted by local authorities. In accordance with international law and current consular conventions, the Embassy has asked the competent Israeli authorities to take all necessary measures to safeguard the physical integrity and fundamental rights of Italian citizens.

In between 18th and 19th May, Israel had reported further interceptions of Flotilla vessels en route to Gaza. Twenty-seven Italians have been detained. The vessels are expected to arrive at the port of Ashdod. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for an urgent investigation into the use of force by Israeli authorities, who, according to Italian activists, used rubber bullets against the Flotilla’s vessels.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also took diplomatic steps with the Israeli government in requesting reassurances regarding the treatment of Italian activists who may be detained by the IDF. Tajani asked the Crisis Unit and the Italian Embassies in Tel Aviv, Ankara, and Nicosia to take all necessary steps to protect the safety of Italians and assist them in the event of disembarkation. The Italian Ambassador in Tel Aviv had further contact with Israeli authorities this morning to ensure the safety of Italians.

Team Maverick.