French anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected “torture” and “war crimes” over Israel’s alleged mistreatment of French activists who took part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last month. The probe, opened on May 31, follows a referral from the foreign ministry.

Israel intercepted and detained about 430 activists from 40 countries on May 18 in international waters as they attempted to break the blockade on Gaza, which the UN and human rights groups deem illegal. The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Upon returning to France on May 22, several French activists described violent and humiliating treatment. One woman reported being groped and slapped by a soldier in a dark container, fearing rape. Another recounted being forced into a “stress position” on her knees with her forehead on the ground for hours while the Israeli national anthem played.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir drew widespread condemnation for posting a video mocking the bound activists. France banned Ben-Gvir from entry and summoned the Israeli ambassador.

The Global Sumud Flotilla has documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse. Lawyers for French activists plan to file a separate complaint over allegations of rape, torture, and humiliation. The Israeli prison service dismissed the claims as “entirely without factual basis.”

UN expert on Palestinian territory Francesca Albanese stated that the treatment of flotilla activists “is a luxury compared to what is inflicted on Palestinians in Israeli prisons.”

Source: www.aljazeera.com