France bars Ben Gvir after flotilla video sparks international condemnation

PARIS: France said on Saturday that it had barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from entering the country after he posted a video mocking bound activists detained by Israeli soldiers from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X that the decision took effect immediately and linked it to what he described as Ben Gvir’s conduct toward French and other European citizens who had been aboard the humanitarian convoy. Barrot also said he was urging sanctions at the European Union level against the far-right Israeli minister, alongside Italy.

According to the French minister, Ben Gvir’s latest conduct came after what he described as a long record of hatred and violence against Palestinians.

Video drew widespread criticism

The French move came after broad international criticism over footage published by Ben Gvir on Wednesday. The video showed dozens of activists from the flotilla kneeling with their foreheads on the ground and their hands tied. It carried the caption Welcome to Israel and also showed the Israeli minister taunting the detainees while waving an Israeli flag.

Spain also called for European Union sanctions against Ben Gvir. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the images of the Israeli minister mocking members of the Gaza-bound flotilla were unacceptable and said Madrid would seek to have any Spanish entry ban on him expanded across the EU as quickly as possible.

Britain, meanwhile, summoned Israel’s most senior diplomat in the country after what it described as the inflammatory video. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was deeply disturbed by the footage and said the government was in touch with the families of several British nationals involved while providing consular assistance.

Cooper said Britain had sought an explanation from the Israeli authorities and had reminded them of their obligations regarding the rights of British citizens and others involved.

European and international reaction

European Council President Antonio Costa also criticised the treatment of the flotilla members and called for their immediate release. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the treatment of the Global Sumud flotilla activists, including EU citizens, was degrading and wrong, and said Ben Gvir’s behaviour was not fitting for a public office-holder in a democracy.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the images posted by Ben Gvir, who has already been sanctioned by Australia, were shocking and unacceptable.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also condemned the minister’s conduct, saying it had drawn broad outrage and condemnation from senior Israeli officials. He described the flotilla as a stupid stunt but said Ben Gvir had undermined the dignity of his country.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Wellington would summon Israel’s ambassador to express grave concerns over the treatment of the detained activists. He said New Zealand expected Israel to meet its obligations under international law, including in its treatment of New Zealand citizens who had joined the flotilla.

Flotilla departed from Turkey

The activists had left Turkey last week aboard around 50 vessels as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. It was the latest effort by campaigners to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza. Israeli forces had also intercepted an earlier convoy last month.

The latest diplomatic backlash has placed Ben Gvir at the centre of mounting criticism from European and other international officials over the handling of the detained activists.