Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
France announced on Saturday that it has barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory, following international outrage over a video showing detained pro-Gaza activists from the “Freedom Flotilla” after their interception by Israeli forces.
The decision marks one of the strongest measures taken by a major European country against a member of the Israeli government since the start of the Gaza conflict.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Ben-Gvir would no longer be permitted to enter France, accusing the far-right minister of responsibility for actions that France considers unacceptable toward French and European citizens who were aboard the aid vessel.
“From today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory,” Barrot wrote on social media, condemning what he described as the mistreatment of French and European activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla off the coast of Cyprus.
Video Sparks International Condemnation
The controversy erupted after Ben-Gvir published a video showing dozens of activists detained in the Israeli port city of Ashdod following the interception of the vessel.
The footage showed detainees kneeling on the ground with their hands restrained, images that quickly drew criticism from human rights organizations, European politicians, and pro-Palestinian groups.
Several critics described the scenes as degrading and accused Israeli authorities of humiliating civilians participating in a humanitarian mission aimed at expressing solidarity with Gaza.
France Calls for EU Sanctions
Barrot said the incident forms part of what he described as a broader pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and actions by Ben-Gvir toward Palestinians.
The French foreign minister also urged the European Union to consider imposing sanctions on the Israeli minister, noting that similar calls have already emerged from other European officials.
The move increases diplomatic pressure on Ben-Gvir, one of the most controversial figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and a frequent target of criticism from European governments over his statements regarding Palestinians and the Gaza conflict.
Growing Diplomatic Rift
France’s decision highlights the widening tensions between several European governments and members of Israel’s governing coalition as the war in Gaza continues.
While Israel has defended its interception of vessels attempting to reach Gaza without authorization, critics argue that the treatment of activists and humanitarian campaigners risks further damaging Israel’s relations with key European partners.
The French entry ban is likely to intensify debate within the European Union over whether additional measures should be taken against Israeli officials accused of promoting policies or rhetoric viewed as incompatible with international human rights standards.
