France has officially imposed a formal travel ban on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following the harassment and abuse of French and European volunteers participating in a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the decision on Saturday. In a post on X, he stated that the measure reflects the growing global indignation among governments regarding the treatment of aid workers during the recent naval interception.Ben-Gvir is now strictly prohibited from entering French territory.
The humanitarian aid flotilla, known as "Global Sumud," was intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters earlier this week. The naval forces detained over one hundred volunteers from several countries, including France, who were attempting to deliver critical supplies to the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Minister personally posted a video on his social media account showing the detainees kneeling on the ground with their hands tied, an act he accompanied with mocking commentary. Most of the released volunteers later reported experiencing physical abuse and mistreatment during their detention before being deported to their respective countries.
France is currently pushing for the European Union to adopt similar restrictive measures against the far-right minister. Foreign Minister Barrot has collaborated with his Italian counterpart to formally request that the European Union implement collective sanctions against Ben-Gvir. The minister has long remained a controversial figure internationally due to his inflammatory rhetoric and extremist political stances. His history of provocative visits to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, support for violent settler activity, and cruel treatment of Palestinian detainees has sparked widespread international condemnation.
