France opens ‘war crimes’ probe into Israel’s treatment of Gaza activists

French anti-terrorism prosecutors have initiated a preliminary investigation into potential “torture” and “war crimes” concerning Israel's purported mistreatment of French nationals. These individuals were participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla, an aid convoy bound for Gaza last month. The probe, launched on Friday, follows a referral from the French foreign ministry after activists accused Israeli authorities of severe abuses during their detention. On May 18, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters, apprehending approximately 430 activists from around 40 nations, including over 30 French citizens.

This incident marked another attempt to breach the blockade on Gaza, which the United Nations and human rights organizations classify as illegal and a form of collective punishment. French activists who returned to France on May 22 recounted harrowing experiences. Descriptions included a female activist being groped and slapped in a dark container, fearing sexual assault. Another detailed activists being forced into painful “stress positions”—on their knees with foreheads on the ground for hours—while the Israeli national anthem was played repeatedly. Two French participants remain hospitalized in Turkiye due to their injuries. The actions of Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who publicly mocked the bound activists, drew widespread international condemnation. In response, France not only banned Ben-Gvir's entry but also summoned the Israeli ambassador, aligning with similar actions taken by several other Israeli allies.

Suhad Bishara, legal director at Adalah, an Israeli legal centre for Palestinian rights, characterized the incidents as potentially the “most severe case of ill-treatment” documented in the past decade, suggesting it could amount to torture. Adalah lawyers have reported instances of physical violence, prolonged stress positions, and sexual humiliation and harassment. The Global Sumud Flotilla itself claims to have documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse. While lawyers for the French activists intend to file separate complaints regarding these allegations, the activists themselves have declined to meet with the French government, citing its perceived support for Israel's military actions in Gaza. Conversely, the Israeli prison service vehemently denies all accusations, stating they are “entirely without factual basis.” Francesca Albanese, a prominent UN expert on Palestinian territories, highlighted the disparity, noting that the treatment of flotilla activists “is a luxury compared to what is inflicted on Palestinians in Israeli prisons.”