France Bans Israeli Minister Over Treatment of Detained Flotilla Activists

France imposed an entry ban on Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir due to unacceptable actions toward activists detained during a flotilla attempting to break an Israeli blockade of Gaza. Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting the activists after Israeli troops apprehended them, showing detainees handcuffed and pinned to a ship. Participants later said they were beaten and assaulted while detained. The video triggered outrage in multiple countries, including Italy and Germany, where citizens had joined the flotilla. The U.S. ambassador in Jerusalem and Israel’s prime minister condemned Ben-Gvir’s conduct. France’s foreign minister cited a pattern of shocking statements and actions, including incitement to hatred and violence, and called for EU sanctions.

"The French foreign ministry on Saturday imposed a ban on the Israeli security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, entering France over his unacceptable actions toward activists detained this week on a flotilla attempting to break an Israeli blockade of Gaza."

"Mr. Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself this week taunting the activists, who were shown handcuffed and pinned to the deck of a ship, after Israeli troops apprehended them. The flotilla's participants later said they were beaten and assaulted while detained."

"Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, said in a statement announcing the ban that Mr. Ben-Gvir's actions followed a long list of shocking statements and actions, incitement to hatred and violence against Palestinians. Mr. Barrot said that while he disapproved of the flotilla, France could not tolerate French nationals being threatened, intimidated or abused in this way, especially by a public official."

"He called for the European Union to formally sanction him, joining Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, who called Mr. Ben-Gvir's actions intolerable and demanded that Israel apologize."

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