PARIS — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Saturday, May 23, 2026, that French authorities have officially banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory. The decision follows the minister’s unacceptable treatment of French and European citizens aboard the Global Sumud flotilla.
“Effective today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is prohibited from entering French territory,” Barrot stated in an official announcement reported by Al Arabiya. The controversy stems from a video shared by the Israeli minister, in which he mocks activists detained during the aid mission to Gaza, explicitly demanding they kneel with their hands bound.
While the French government has previously expressed its disapproval of the flotilla initiative—citing its lack of tangible results and the unnecessary strain it places on diplomatic and consular services—Barrot emphasized that France cannot tolerate the intimidation or brutal treatment of its citizens, particularly when such actions are perpetrated by a public official. He further commended the professionalism and dedication shown by the French diplomatic staff who managed the situation.
The French Foreign Minister noted that Ben-Gvir’s conduct has also faced widespread condemnation from numerous Israeli government and political figures. This latest incident is reportedly part of a long sequence of provocative statements and actions that have fueled accusations of inciting hatred and violence against Palestinians.
In response to these developments, Barrot has officially called for the European Union to impose sanctions against Ben-Gvir, aligning France with similar demands previously voiced by his Italian counterpart. As a prominent far-right figure within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, Ben-Gvir has frequently drawn sharp international criticism for his inflammatory rhetoric regarding the Palestinian people and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Summary
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has officially banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering France. This decision follows Ben-Gvir’s public mockery of French and European activists detained during the Global Sumud aid flotilla to Gaza, where he reportedly demanded they be held in degrading conditions. The French government emphasized that it cannot tolerate the intimidation or brutal treatment of its citizens by any foreign public official.
Beyond the travel ban, Minister Barrot has formally requested that the European Union impose broader sanctions against Ben-Gvir. This move aligns France with growing international criticism regarding the Israeli minister’s history of inflammatory rhetoric and actions perceived as inciting violence against Palestinians. The incident adds to a series of controversies involving Ben-Gvir, who has frequently faced condemnation from both global leaders and his own political peers.