France Bans Far-Right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced that Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right police minister in Israel, is banned from entering French territory. This decision was made today and reflects growing global anger over the treatment of activists on a flotilla heading to Gaza.
Barrot also called for European Union sanctions against Ben-Gvir, along with his Italian counterpart. The ban comes after Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting activists who were attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. Some activists claimed they had been physically assaulted in detention, but Israel’s prison service denied these allegations.
Ben-Gvir was rebuked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United States, Israel’s staunchest ally. Netanyahu stated that Ben-Gvir’s actions did not align with Israel’s values and norms.
A spokesperson for Ben-Gvir did not immediately comment on the French decision. The activists’ vessels were intercepted in international waters this week by the Israeli navy and have since been deported from Israel.