France Calls on EU to Sanction Israeli Interior Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir
The French Foreign Minister announced that France has requested the European Union to impose sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli Minister of National Security, and has simultaneously banned his entry into French territory.
On Saturday, Jean-Noël Barrot said he had joined forces with his Italian counterpart in calling for a joint EU action against Ben-Gvir. According to him, this decision was made following what he described as Ben-Gvir’s “unacceptable behavior” toward activists of the Global ‘Freedom Flotilla’ known as ‘Sumud.’
Last Wednesday, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest the treatment of passengers on the ‘Sumud’ flotilla. This move signifies escalating diplomatic tensions between Paris and Tel Aviv after the release of images related to the incident.
Prior to France, the Italian government had also summoned the Israeli ambassador due to a video involving Itamar Ben-Gvir. The release of footage showing mistreatment and inhumane treatment of detained activists aboard the flotilla has sparked widespread international reactions and brought renewed global attention to how civil society activists are treated.
