France has officially barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from entering its territory, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on Saturday. The decision follows the global outcry over a video showing activists from the “Gaza flotilla” kneeling with their hands bound, an incident the minister linked directly to the Israeli official.
A Direct Response to ‘Unqualifiable’ Actions
“As of today, Itamar Ben Gvir is banned from entering French territory,” Barrot declared on X, denouncing actions he described as “unqualifiable” towards French and European citizens who were passengers on the Global Sumud flotilla. The minister clarified France’s dual position, stating, “We disapprove of this flotilla’s approach, which produces no useful effect and overburdens diplomatic and consular services.” However, he stressed, “We cannot tolerate that French nationals can be thus threatened, intimidated, or brutalized, especially by a public official.”
The diplomatic move comes after several detained activists reported “violence,” “inappropriate touching,” and “humiliations” inflicted by Israeli forces during their custody. Barrot emphasized that these actions are part of a broader pattern, citing “a long list of shocking declarations and actions, incitement to hatred and violence against Palestinians.” He also called on the European Union to adopt similar sanctions, aligning himself with his Italian counterpart.
The Provocative Video and Internal Criticism
The controversy erupted after Ben Gvir posted a video on his Telegram channel showing dozens of flotilla activists kneeling with their heads to the ground and hands tied, following their interception at sea and detention in southern Israel. Set to the Israeli national anthem, the footage featured the minister saying, “Welcome to Israel, we are home.”
The gesture drew rare criticism from within the Israeli government itself. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the treatment shown “does not conform to the values and norms of Israel.” Ben Gvir, a prominent figure of the Israeli far-right, is known for provocations targeting Palestinians. He recently celebrated his birthday with cakes decorated with nooses and firearms, referencing a controversial law imposing the death penalty on Palestinian terrorists, with one cake bearing the inscription “sometimes dreams come true.”
Flotilla Interception and Mass Expulsions
The diplomatic flashpoint originated from a new attempt to break the Israeli-imposed blockade on the Gaza Strip, a territory devastated by two years of war. Approximately fifty vessels departed from Turkey last week. Israeli authorities intercepted the boats off the coast of Cyprus on Monday, announcing the arrest of 430 activists, including 37 French nationals. All detainees were expelled by Thursday, but not before the treatment that sparked the current diplomatic crisis between Paris and Jerusalem.
