Flotilla, investigation into torture in Israel and appeal by 2,200 priests for ceasefire in Gaza

About fifty activists of the Flotilla were hospitalised in Istanbul for injuries sustained during their detention in Israel. This was reported by sources of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Among them is also an Italian who has been hospitalised. "We are trying in these hours to get news about his health conditions," explained Italian spokeswoman Maria Elena Delia, "we are told that many have suffered serious injuries and some are in shock. the affair is provoking international outrage and reactions. Over two thousand priests have written to the president of the Italian Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, while Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has intervened on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

"We also share some firm points on the situation in Gaza and Jordan, without prejudice to Israel's right to security: the two-state solution as the only possible just and lasting peace, the importance of ensuring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population, the condemnation of settler violence and Israeli settlement activities," the Prime Minister said in joint statements with Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin after the meeting at Palazzo Chigi.

The Rome public prosecutor's office investigating the boarding of the Flotilla, in addition to the crime of kidnapping, is also considering other offences, including torture and sexual assault. According to information, the magistrates, after acquiring the video released on the social channels of Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir in which the activists are seen kneeling and with their hands tied behind their backs, will analyse the footage to verify the presence of Italians in that situation and will assess the mocking words addressed by the minister. According to information, the M5S deputy Dario Carotenuto has already been heard on behalf of the Rome prosecutors.

The Flotilla lawyers will also file a complaint for torture in relation to the conditions of detention of the activists in Israel. The legal team made up of Tatiana Montella, Francesca Cancellaro, Serena Romano, Patrizia Corpina, Sonia Randazzo, Enrica Rigo, Carlo Caprioglio, Alessandra Annoni, and MariaGiulia Giuffrè will start tomorrow to collect the testimonies of the Italians who returned yesterday and will present an integration to the complaint-suit filed on 19 May at the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office. The lawyers will point out to the capital's prosecutors all the crimes that the activists report having been subjected to.

The situation in Gaza and the Flotilla affair are arousing growing international indignation. More than 2,000 priests are now also taking action. In view of the General Assembly of the Italian Bishops' Conference that will gather the Italian bishops in Rome from Monday, the International Network "Priests against Genocide" formed by more than 2,200 priests, 25 bishops and 2 cardinals in 58 countries, is delivering an open letter to the Italian prelates. The letter calls for a clear evangelical word from the Assembly on the tragedy of the Palestinian people after the case of the last Flotilla boarded "by force" on the night of 18-19 May 2026, by the Israeli navy "We are not writing to oppose each other," they say, "but to share a wound. We do not write to judge, but because the pain of Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and the entire Holy Land no longer lets us sleep peacefully. Our silence is not neutral. Our lukewarm words are not innocent. The ambiguities of governments, institutions and sometimes even Christian communities risk becoming complicity. The Gospel is never neutral,' they stress, 'before the victim' and 'the Church cannot be equidistant between those who suffer and those who produce suffering'.