The secretary of Italy’s Democratic Party (PD), Elly Schlein, has called on European governments, the Italian government, and the European Union to forcefully reject the threats made by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir against activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. Schlein made the statement during a visit to the Festa dell’Unità in Livorno, where she attended a lunch with party volunteers and members.
She described the flotilla as the largest grassroots humanitarian mission attempting to break the blockade on aid, food, energy, and water for the Palestinians—a blockade enforced by what she termed the “criminal government” of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Schlein accused Netanyahu’s ministers of openly stating their intention to “erase Gaza and Palestine” and asserted that the only illegal actions in this situation are the crimes committed by the Israeli government.
The PD leader confirmed her party’s full support for the activists and expressed her conviction that the Italian government must take a firm stance to protect the Italian citizens participating in the mission.