France Bans Israeli Minister Ben Gvir

Darwin, 24 May: France has imposed an entry ban on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he mocked an international flotilla carrying human rights activists and humanitarian aid toward war-ravaged Gaza.

In an official statement released on Saturday, the French government confirmed that the ban on Ben Gvir entering French territory has taken immediate effect.

The decision came in response to what France described as his “deplorable treatment” of French and European citizens who were part of the Gaza-bound humanitarian mission.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the measure in a statement posted on X, saying France would not tolerate threats, intimidation, or cruel treatment of its citizens, particularly by a government official.

Barrot also called for broader sanctions against the far-right Israeli minister at the level of the European Union, urging joint action with Italy.

The controversy erupted after Ben Gvir shared a video on Wednesday showing foreign human rights activists detained by Israeli authorities after attempting to reach Gaza by sea.

The footage appeared to show dozens of activists kneeling on the ground with their heads lowered and hands tied behind their backs while under Israeli custody. The video carried the caption “Welcome to Israel,” and showed Ben Gvir waving an Israeli flag while mocking the detainees.

The footage sparked widespread international outrage, prompting criticism from several European governments. Israel later said the detained foreign activists would be deported to their home countries.

The activists were part of the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” a humanitarian mission involving nearly 50 vessels that departed from Türkiye last week in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

The flotilla included 36 French nationals.
Although France clarified that it did not officially support the mission, Foreign Minister Barrot stressed that such treatment of French citizens was unacceptable regardless of political differences.

Meanwhile, Spain has also pushed for EU sanctions against Ben Gvir, while the United Kingdom summoned Israel’s top diplomat in protest over the release of the controversial video.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben Gvir’s conduct, saying it was inconsistent with Israel’s values and traditions. However, he stopped short of dismissing the minister from office. Previously, Netanyahu had described the aid mission as an “evil plan” allegedly aimed at supporting Hamas.

Since 2007, Gaza has remained under a strict Israeli blockade, with access points tightly controlled. The prolonged war has deepened shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies, worsening humanitarian conditions in the territory.
Source: AFP