The French government has imposed an entry ban on Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has called upon the European Union (EU) to take similar measures.
Earlier last week, video footage showing the mockery and harassment of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla (a relief convoy) drew widespread international condemnation. The video was released by Ben-Gvir himself. France has taken this step in the wake of that incident.
In a post shared on the social media platform X on Saturday, French Foreign Minister Barrot stated, “Effective today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory.” He further added that this decision was taken in light of Ben-Gvir’s reprehensible conduct toward French and European citizens traveling aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Ben-Gvir had posted video footage on social media showing activists from the flotilla kneeling on the floor—blindfolded and with their hands bound—at Israel’s Ashdod port. The video also showed Ben-Gvir standing before them and mocking them.
Last week, the Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla’s vessels in international waters off the coast of Cyprus and detained approximately 430 passengers. Subsequently, last Thursday, several hundred of the passengers were released and repatriated to their home countries.
Upon viewing images of the activists being dragged across the floor, several nations—including Italy, France, the Netherlands, Canada, and Spain—summoned their respective Israeli ambassadors. They issued strong condemnations of this “unacceptable” conduct and the violation of human dignity.
French Foreign Minister Barrot declared, “We will under no circumstances tolerate such threats, intimidation, or violence directed against French citizens—particularly when perpetrated by a government official.” “I have noted that many Israeli government and political figures have also condemned this conduct.”
Barolo further added, “This incident occurred as part of a continuing pattern of provocative, hateful, and violent rhetoric and actions directed against Palestinians by him (Ben-Gvir). Like my Italian colleague, I, too, call upon the European Union to impose sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir.”
On May 14, ships belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from southern Turkey for the third time in an effort to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, Palestine. Previously, Israel had thwarted their two earlier attempts to deliver aid to Gaza and detained participants of the Global Sumud mission in international waters.
