France has barred Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, from entering its territory after a video posted to his social media account showed him taunting pro-Palestinian activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced the decision on social media, writing: “As from today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory.”
The footage, widely condemned at home and abroad, shows activists kneeling with their foreheads on the deck and their hands bound while Ben-Gvir walks among them with supporters, waving an Israeli flag and appearing to mock the detainees. The clip was shared with a caption that welcomed those the post described as “terrorism supporters.” Israeli forces intercepted the vessel in international waters as it attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
France, together with Spain and Italy, is pressing the European Union to consider sanctions against Ben-Gvir. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rebuked the minister for his conduct in the video.
The activists have since been deported from Israel. The Global Sumud Flotilla group said some detainees were subjected to physical and sexual abuse while in Israeli custody; Israeli prison services have denied any abuse occurred. Germany said some of its nationals who took part in the flotilla were injured and described some of the allegations as serious, without providing further details.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez