France Bans Ben Gvir Over 36 Citizens Seized on Gaza Aid Flotilla
Updated
Updated · FRANCE 24 English · May 23
France Bans Ben Gvir Over 36 Citizens Seized on Gaza Aid Flotilla
17 articles · Updated · FRANCE 24 English · May 23
France barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from entering the country after he mocked bound activists detained from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, including 36 French nationals.
A video posted by Ben Gvir on Wednesday showed dozens of activists kneeling with foreheads to the ground and hands tied after Israeli forces seized the flotilla in international waters.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France and Italy are pushing for EU-level sanctions, while Spain made a similar call and Britain summoned Israel's top diplomat over the clip.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Ben Gvir's conduct was not in line with Israel's values but kept him in office, even as Israel moved to deport the activists after the backlash.
The flotilla was the latest bid to challenge Israel's Gaza blockade, which has restricted aid since 2007 and contributed to severe wartime shortages of food and medicine.
Is France's travel ban on an Israeli minister a symbolic act or a real policy shift?
Could a viral video of mistreated activists finally trigger EU economic sanctions against Israel?
With his minister banned from France, can Netanyahu control the extremists in his government?
430 Activists Detained: France Bans Ben-Gvir, EU Considers Sanctions After Israeli Interception of Gaza Aid Flotilla
Overview
The report details how Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s threats and violent actions against activists on the Global Sumud flotilla, who were trying to deliver aid to Gaza by sea, led to a major diplomatic crisis. After Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters and abducted around 430 participants, France responded by banning Ben-Gvir from entering the country. This move sparked strong international condemnation and highlighted growing criticism of Ben-Gvir’s conduct, including a public rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, showing the serious diplomatic fallout for Israel.