(September 30, 2025)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later reiterated her call for flotilla members to immediately stop their mission, warning that a confrontation with Israel could derail diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
„Many would be happy to disrupt„ a peace plan pushed by US President Donald Trump, Meloni said in a statement. „I fear that the flotilla‘s attempt to breach the Israeli naval blockade could provide a pretext for this.“
Defense Minister Crosetto warned activists against insisting on trying to break through an Israeli blockade, urging them to accept Italy‘s proposal to hand over their aid supplies and allow them to be distributed in Gaza by the local Catholic Church.
„We cannot guarantee the safety of our citizens if they enter the territorial waters of other countries,“ explained Defense Minister Crosetto.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had asked Israel to ensure the safety of “Italian citizens, along with members of parliament and MEPs [Members of the European Parliament]” among the pro-Palestinian activists.
The ministry had already informed Israel that “any operation entrusted to Israeli forces must be conducted in compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Minister Tajani has asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to gather information and to reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board,” it added.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Italy’s defense minister Guido Crosetto said: “Regarding the attack suffered in recent hours by the Sumud Flotilla vessels, which also include Italian citizens, carried out using drones by currently unidentified perpetrators, we can only express the strongest condemnation. In a democracy, even demonstrations and protests must be protected when they are conducted in compliance with international law and without resorting to violence.”
“To ensure assistance to the Italian citizens on the flotilla,” Crosetto said that he had “authorized the immediate intervention of the Italian Navy’s multi-purpose frigate Fasan,” which he said was “already en route to the area for possible rescue operations.”
„These are extremely serious violations of the norms of international law, not justified by any military reason.
„There is no justification in saying that the Israeli armed forces had warned UNIFIL that some bases had to be vacated.
„I told the ambassador to tell the Israeli government that the United Nations and Italy cannot take orders from the Israeli government“.