May 25, 7:18 AM
France Bans Israeli Security Minister from Entry, Urges EU Sanctions
Itamar Ben-Gvir declared persona non grata over treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, as Paris calls for broader European action against the far-right politician.
France has officially barred Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, from entering its territory. The decision was announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in a statement posted to his account on the social media platform X.
Barrot justified the travel ban by citing Ben-Gvir’s handling of activists associated with the so-called “Gaza flotilla” – a group of ships that had attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. Effective immediately, the minister is considered an unwelcome person in France.
In the same statement, Barrot said he and his Italian counterpart are calling on the European Union to impose its own sanctions against Ben-Gvir, whom French officials described as belonging to the far-right wing of Israeli politics.
The controversy stems from a video posted by Ben-Gvir himself on X, titled “Welcome to Israel.” The footage shows a female activist shouting “Free, free Palestine,” after which she is grabbed by the head and forced to the ground. Other scenes depict activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs and their foreheads touching the floor. The minister is also seen waving an Israeli flag in front of the kneeling detainees.
French authorities made a point of distinguishing between the flotilla’s purpose and the treatment of its participants. Barrot noted that Paris disapproves of the flotilla’s actions, saying the operation achieved no useful effect. Regardless of that position, he added, France cannot tolerate its own citizens being threatened, intimidated, or mistreated – particularly by a public official.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation across Europe beyond France. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the video as “unbearable” and “unacceptable.” Ireland’s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was “horrified and shocked.” Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski wrote on X that such treatment should not be applied to Polish citizens who have committed no crime, adding that in the democratic world, people do not mistreat those in custody or take pleasure in their suffering.
Germany’s initial response was delayed. After Israel’s Foreign Minister accused his cabinet colleague of knowingly harming Israel with what he called a “shameful appearance,” Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, was the first to comment. Later, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Ben-Gvir’s behavior was completely unacceptable and fundamentally contradicts the values that Germany and Israel jointly claim to uphold.
