France Bans Israeli Far-Right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Over Video Mocking Activists

An English-language version of the post also circulated, stating: “As from today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory.”

The French minister indicated that the ban was a direct response to the video, which he characterized as incompatible with values France upholds.

France Takes Action

Beyond the entry ban, Barrot disclosed that he had coordinated with Italy’s foreign minister to push the European Union toward punitive measures against Ben-Gvir.

“Along with my Italian counterpart, I am asking the European Union to also take sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir,” he wrote on X, signaling a broader diplomatic effort.

Itamar Ben-Gvir has long been a polarizing figure. As Israel’s minister of national security, he leads a far-right faction and has drawn frequent criticism for provocative actions.

Push for EU-wide Sanctions

The activists targeted in his video were part of an aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza, a territory under Israeli blockade that faces severe humanitarian challenges.

In the wake of the video’s release, some activists alleged that they had been physically assaulted while in Israeli detention facilities.

Conflicting Accounts of Detention

However, Israel’s prison service denied those allegations, stating that all detainees were treated in accordance with established procedures.

The French entry ban is the latest in a series of diplomatic tensions between Israel and European governments over the conduct of certain Israeli officials, with the incident reigniting debates about international accountability.