Tensions have been rising between Italy and Israel in the past few months.
Meloni recently suspended a defense cooperation agreement between the two countries after the Israeli Defense Forces fired warning shots at an Italian peacekeeping convoy outside Beirut, Lebanon.
She had previously condemned Israel for preventing Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday and criticized its conduct in Lebanon in a speech to parliament in early April.
On Wednesday, France’s foreign affairs minister Jean-Noël Barrot also said he would summon Israel’s envoy “to express our indignation.” When reached for comment, the Israeli embassy to France pointed to Sa’ar’s and Netanyahu’s statements on Ben-Gvir.
German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert joined the chorus of condemnation, calling the incident “wholly unacceptable and incompatible with the basic values of our countries,” and praising Israeli government figures for calling it out.
Senior government figures from Belgium, Ireland and Spain also strongly protested the detainees’ treatment.
The Israeli embassy in Italy did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
CORRECTION: This article was updated on May 20 to correct the spelling of Steffen Seibert’s name.