France Bans Israeli Security Minister Ben Gvir Over Aid Flotilla Incident

France has declared Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir persona non grata, prohibiting his entry into French territory. The decision, announced on Saturday, May 23, 2026, by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, stems from Ben Gvir's controversial video mocking bound activists who were seized by Israeli soldiers from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

Barrot, in a statement on X, emphasized that the ban was a direct consequence of Ben Gvir's "reprehensible actions towards French and European citizens" involved in the humanitarian mission. Furthermore, France is collaborating with Italy to advocate for broader European Union-level sanctions against the far-right Israeli minister.

The global outcry intensified after Ben Gvir published a video on Wednesday depicting the rough handling of foreign activists held in Israeli custody. The activists were apprehended by Israel in international waters. The disturbing footage showed dozens of individuals forced to kneel, hands tied, with their foreheads to the ground. Ben Gvir appeared in the clip heckling the activists and waving an Israeli flag, with the video tellingly captioned "Welcome to Israel." Following the widespread condemnation, Israel began deporting the activists.

Among those on board the flotilla were thirty-six French nationals. This event marked another attempt by activists to penetrate Israel's blockade of Gaza, occurring after Israeli forces intercepted a similar convoy just a month prior. While Minister Barrot acknowledged that France disapproved of the flotilla's actions, deeming them to serve "no useful purpose," he firmly stated, "we cannot tolerate French nationals being threatened, intimidated or brutalised in this way, especially by a public official."

International reaction has been swift and strong. Spain has also urged the EU to impose sanctions on Ben Gvir, and the United Kingdom summoned Israel's most senior diplomat in Britain to address the "inflammatory video."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although maintaining Ben Gvir in his position as security minister, publicly stated that Ben Gvir's treatment of the activists was "not in line with Israel's values and norms." Netanyahu had previously denounced the humanitarian aid mission itself as a "malicious scheme" aimed at supporting Hamas.

The activists had departed from Turkey last week, comprising approximately 50 vessels under the banner of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007, with Israel controlling all entry points. During the Gaza war, the territory experienced severe shortages of essential supplies, including food and medicine, with aid deliveries occasionally being halted entirely by Israel. A previous flotilla attempt was intercepted last month in international waters off Greece, leading to the expulsion of most activists to Europe.