France bans Israeli minister Ben-Gvir from entering country

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends his party faction meeting at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem June 3, 2024 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

PARIS, May 23 — France has banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Saturday.

Barrot said the move reflected growing international anger over the treatment of activists aboard a flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The French foreign minister also said he and his Italian counterpart had called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir.

The criticism followed the circulation of a video showing Ben-Gvir mocking detained activists. Some activists later alleged they had been physically assaulted in detention, accusations denied by Israel’s prison service.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United States also criticised Ben-Gvir’s conduct, with Netanyahu saying it was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”