Statement by the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani

The footage of Israeli Minister Ben Gvir is unacceptable. It is intolerable for these protesters, including many Italian citizens, to be subjected to treatment that is so degrading to human dignity.

The Italian Government is urgently taking all the necessary steps, at the highest institutional levels, to secure the immediate release of the Italian citizens involved.

Italy furthermore demands an apology for the treatment of these protesters, and for the total disregard of the Italian Government's explicit requests.

For these reasons, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will immediately summon the Israeli Ambassador to ask for formal clarification regarding what happened.