France Bans Israeli Minister Over Treatment of Detained Flotilla Activists
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- France has banned Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country due to his "unacceptable actions" toward activists detained during a flotilla attempting to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
- Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting handcuffed activists, sparking international outrage, especially in countries whose citizens were involved in the flotilla, including Italy and Germany.
- The U.S. ambassador to Jerusalem and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both condemned Ben-Gvir's conduct.
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot cited Ben-Gvir's history of incitement and stated France cannot tolerate abuse of its nationals by public officials, calling for EU sanctions against him.
- Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemned Ben-Gvir's actions as "intolerable" and demanded an apology from Israel.