\n<\/p>\n
France \u2060has banned Israel\u2019s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from its territory after footage of him taunting abducted flotilla activists earlier in the week triggered international condemnation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs from today, Itamar \u2060Ben-Gvir is banned \u2060from entering French territory,\u201d Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision follows his reprehensible actions towards French and European citizens who were passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben-Gvir had posted footage on a social media platform showing himself gloating as activists from the flotilla knelt on the floor, blindfolded, with their hands bound, at the Port of Ashdod.<\/p>\n
Israeli naval forces had intercepted the flotilla\u2019s vessels in international waters off the coast of Cyprus, illegally abducting about 430 participants.<\/p>\n
The images of activists being dragged across the floor prompted several countries<\/span> \u2013 including Italy, France, the Netherlands, Canada, and Spain \u2013 to summon Israeli ambassadors, condemning the \u201cunacceptable\u201d treatment and violation of human dignity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot tolerate French nationals being threatened, intimidated, or subjected to violence in this way, especially by a public official. I note that these actions have been condemned by a large number of Israeli governmental and political figures,\u201d Barrot said<\/p>\n \u201cThey follow a long series of shocking statements and actions, as well as incitement to hatred and violence against Palestinians. Like my Italian colleague, I call on the European Union to also impose sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n