France bans Ben Gvir over ‘reprehensible actions’ toward Gaza flotilla activists, calls on EU to sanction him

France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announces that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is immediately banned from all French territory in response to his “reprehensible actions” toward detained activists from the Gaza flotilla.

“We disapprove of this flotilla’s approach, which produces no useful effect and burdens diplomatic and consular services, whose professionalism and dedication I salute,” says Barrot.

“But we cannot tolerate French nationals being threatened, intimidated, or brutalized in this way, especially by a public official,” he says.

Barrot notes that Ben Gvir’s actions have been condemned by a large number of Israeli political figures.

“It follows a long list of shocking statements and actions, incitements to hatred and violence against Palestinians,” Barrot says. “Like my Italian colleague, I call on the European Union to also impose sanctions on Itamar Ben Gvir.”

Israeli forces arrested 430 people on board 50 ships in international waters on Tuesday to halt a flotilla of activists trying to break the blockade on Gaza.

On Wednesday, Ben Gvir released a video in which he can be seen taunting the activists as they kneel on the floor, hands bound.

Flotilla activists were subjected to abuse in Israeli custody, organizers alleged yesterday, with several hospitalized with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape. The Israel Prison Service denied the allegations, saying all detained activists were held “in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights,” and received necessary and professional medical care.

Agencies contributed to this report.