France bans Ben‑Gvir entry

France said on May 23 it had barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory, an unusual step against a sitting member of Israel’s cabinet. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the ban was imposed after Ben-Gvir’s conduct toward activists detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla, including French and other European citizens. The move came one day after France joined Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada and other partners in a joint statement condemning settlement expansion and annexation moves in the occupied West Bank. Together, the two actions put French pressure on both an Israeli minister and Israeli policy in the territory. ### Why did France say it was barring Ben-Gvir? Jean-Noel Barrot said on May 23 that Ben-Gvir was banned from French territory because of what he called the minister’s “reprehensible actions” toward French and European citizens aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. Reuters and other outlets reported that Barrot linked the decision to growing anger among governments over the treatment of the Gaza-bound activists. The Associated Press reported that France cited Ben-Gvir’s “unspeakable” behavior toward activists detained by Israeli forces after the flotilla tried to reach Gaza. Ben-Gvir had posted video of detainees in custody, drawing criticism abroad. ### Why is this unusual diplomatically? France’s decision targeted a serving Israeli cabinet minister rather than issuing a broader protest over the war in Gaza. (usnews.com) Reuters described Ben-Gvir as Israel’s far-right police minister and said Barrot also called, with Italy, for European Union-level sanctions against him. Politico reported that Barrot announced the ban in a social media post and said it took effect immediately. (apnews.com) The measure adds to a pattern of European governments directing criticism at individual Israeli ministers, not only at Israel’s military campaign or settlement policy. That broader reading is an inference from the timing of the French move and the parallel West Bank statement. (usnews.com) ### What was in the West Bank statement France joined? A joint statement issued on May 22 by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy — and separately backed by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and the European Union in related official postings — said the situation in the West Bank had deteriorated significantly in recent months. The statement said settler violence was at “unprecedented levels” and said policies of the Israeli government were entrenching control over occupied territory. (politico.eu) The statement said the countries strongly opposed annexation, settlement expansion and the forcible transfer of Palestinians. Israel National News reported that the governments also objected to plans to connect Jerusalem to Ma’ale Adumim, a long-disputed settlement bloc east of the city, while restating support for a two-state solution. ### Which governments signed on? Britain, France, Germany and Italy were named in official French and British versions of the May 22 statement. (gov.uk) The British government’s published text said Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and the European Union also joined the statement. That lineup matters because it shows the criticism came from a wider group of Western allies, not from a single European capital. (israelnationalnews.com) The statement was published by multiple governments on May 22 and updated on May 23 on official sites. ### What happens next? The immediate next step is whether other European governments follow France in restricting Ben-Gvir’s travel or back Barrot’s call for European Union sanctions. (gov.uk) Reuters reported that Barrot said he was pursuing that effort with Italy. The diplomatic track on settlements is also active. The May 22 West Bank statement remains posted on official government websites, where Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and other participants set out their opposition to annexation and settlement expansion and their support for a two-state outcome. (gov.uk) (usnews.com)