– Paris, France
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on the X platform that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory.
‘As of today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory,’ Barrot wrote. He cited Ben-Gvir's ‘reprehensible actions’ against French and European citizens aboard the Global Sumud flotilla.
The ban comes after Ben-Gvir posted a video mocking bound and blindfolded activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound vessels in international waters.
Barrot stressed that while France disapproves of the flotilla, it ‘cannot tolerate French citizens being threatened, intimidated, or mistreated in this way, especially by a public official.’ He also urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated that Ben-Gvir's conduct did not reflect Israel's values.