Defense Minister Guido Crosetto addressed the Chamber of Deputies following an urgent request by the opposition after another attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla. He reaffirmed that in a democracy “any act of peaceful protest must be protected when it complies with the law and international norms, and cannot be suppressed with violence.”
Recalling Prime Minister Meloni’s recent call for greater responsibility, Crosetto questioned whether it was necessary to endanger the lives of Italian citizens to deliver aid to Gaza. “The government has long supported the population in the Strip and can provide aid within hours,” he said, adding that he had asked himself “how far the Flotilla should go.”
The minister also underlined that Italy cannot guarantee the safety of vessels outside international waters, urging consideration of alternatives such as channeling aid through Cyprus with the support of the Church.
He concluded with a firm condemnation: “Attacks on civilian vessels in open waters are totally unacceptable. They touch the core values of our Republic: respect for international law, protection of human life, and defense of the freedom of peaceful protest.”