FLASH NEWS
Italian MP and journalist Mantovani recounts violence experienced by Israelis: They beat us
2026-05-21 20:39:17 / BOTA
On one of the ships (Kasr-i Sabadab) seized by Israel, as part of the operation to stop the 'Sumud' flotilla that was to deliver aid to Gaza, were the Italian M5S MP Dario Carotenuto, journalist Alessandro Mantovani and activist Ruggero Zeni. They accused Israel of having "taken" the MP in international waters and demanded that the Italian authorities intervene "with the utmost determination".
And although they never reached the port of Ashdod, where other activists were beaten, humiliated, tied up and dragged 'like animals', this did not spare M5S deputy Dario Carotenuto and "Il Fatto Quotidiano" journalist Alessandro Mantovani from kicks, punches and physical and psychological violence.
They showed this as soon as they arrived at Fiumicino airport.
"We are worried, we were hit, but others were brutally beaten," said journalist Mantovani.
"They hit me here and here (the journalist explained, pointing to his slightly swollen face) my leg hurts, they kicked me there, on my back, but I don't think it's anything serious. Others were beaten much worse than us," the journalist continued.
As he spoke, the orange bracelet that served as an identification number on board the ship, 164, still dangled in his hand. Carotenuto had the number 147.
"It was a dark container, as soon as you entered there you found three strong men who started beating you. They hit me in the eye, I thought I was going to lose my sight, they kicked me, they even had a taser. They beat us and at the same time they said 'Welcome to Israel'", declared the journalist.
But, he explains, maybe that wasn't the worst moment.
"At one point we were with everyone else, they called us by numbers, told us to take a step forward, raise our hands and turn our backs. It was the longest 20 seconds of my life, I didn't know what was going to happen, I thought about my son, afraid I wouldn't see him again," the MP said, as a nearby suitcase fell to the ground and he was shocked.
"It wasn't a grenade, but it reminds me of something," he adds with a slight smile.
Like everyone else, the first two Italians released were kept handcuffed the entire time, even when they were taken to the airport they had handcuffs on their hands and feet.
"Like criminals," declared Carotenuto, shocked.
"Those we saw there were terrified," he continued, telling of activists with broken arms and ribs, four taken to the hospital, a young German hit with a rifle butt and with circular marks on his back, who was then also shot with a rubber bullet in the leg, elderly people with large bandages, an Indonesian boy soaked to the core who was shaking non-stop.
Some activists have also denounced sexual abuse and harassment.
Medical assistance was not provided by the Israelis, but by doctors and nurses present on the flotilla, including Margaret Connolly, the sister of the Irish president.
"There has been a clear increase in violence," Mantovani explained.
"It seems grotesque, because these are military operations against a peaceful initiative. Increasing violence is Israel's strategy," the journalist continued.
They also expressed great concern for other activists who are still detained.
"The government must do everything to return them home now, enough with formal statements, concrete actions are needed," said Carotenuto.
“Melon must be held accountable and that means sanctions,” added MP Arturo Scotto, “and a stronger stance that leads Italy to join the 19 countries that are demanding the suspension of the cooperation agreement.”
MEP Danilo Della Valle also stressed that the EU has the means to react through sanctions to human rights violations and that these should be applied in this case as well.
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