France bars Ben‑Gvir entry

France barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory on May 23, escalating a dispute that began with the detention of activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the ban followed Ben-Gvir’s conduct toward French and other European citizens who had been aboard the flotilla, after videos circulated showing the Israeli minister taunting detainees. Reuters reported that Barrot also called with Italy for European Union sanctions on Ben-Gvir. The move landed as France joined Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada and other Western partners in a May 22 statement condemning Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, including proposed construction in the E1 corridor between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. That statement said E1 development would divide the West Bank in two and “mark a serious breach of international law,” while reaffirming support for a negotiated two-state solution. (usnews.com) ### What did France actually do? Jean-Noel Barrot said on May 23 that “as from today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory,” according to Reuters. Barrot said the decision reflected French anger over the treatment of activists on the flotilla, which included French and other European citizens. France’s step was a national entry ban, not a broader EU-wide sanctions package. (gov.uk) Barrot said he and his Italian counterpart were asking the European Union to take sanctions against Ben-Gvir as well, which would require a separate process at the bloc level. ### What set off the dispute? Reuters reported that Western governments reacted after Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself taunting activists who had sought to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza and were shown pinned to the ground. (usnews.com) Some of the activists later alleged they were physically assaulted in detention, while Israel’s prison service denied those allegations. The flotilla’s vessels were intercepted in international waters by the Israeli navy this week, Reuters said, and the activists have since been deported from Israel. AP described France’s objection as centered on Ben-Gvir’s behavior toward activists detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla. ### How did Israel respond? Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked Ben-Gvir over the episode, saying the minister’s conduct was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms,” according to Reuters. (usnews.com) A spokesperson for Ben-Gvir did not immediately reply to Reuters’ request for comment on the French decision. The Reuters account also said the United States criticized Ben-Gvir over the incident, adding to pressure from Western governments that had already condemned the treatment of the flotilla activists. (usnews.com) ### Why is the Ma’ale Adumim statement part of the same story? Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and the EU issued a joint statement on May 22 saying the West Bank situation had “deteriorated significantly.” The statement said settler violence was at “unprecedented levels” and that Israeli government policies were undermining stability and the prospects for a two-state solution. (usnews.com) The same statement singled out construction in the E1 area, which links Jerusalem to the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim. The signatories said businesses should not bid for E1 construction tenders and warned of legal and reputational consequences tied to settlement building. They also said they “strongly oppose” annexation and the forcible displacement of Palestinians. (gov.uk) ### What comes next? The immediate next step is at the European level. Barrot said France and Italy are seeking EU sanctions on Ben-Gvir, while the May 22 joint statement put Israel on notice over any move to advance E1 construction. Whether other European governments back formal sanctions will be determined through EU channels, and the settlement dispute will be tracked through any Israeli planning or tender decisions affecting the E1 corridor. (usnews.com) (gov.uk)