France bans Israeli minister from entry over “unacceptable actions”

France has barred Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

In a post on X on May 23, he said the decision was linked to what he described as “unacceptable actions toward French and European citizens aboard the Global Smud flotilla," Caliber.Az reports. 

À compter de ce jour, Itamar Ben-Gvir est interdit d'accès au territoire français.

Cette décision fait suite à ses agissements inqualifiables à l'égard de citoyens français et européens passagers de la flottille Global Smud.

Nous désapprouvons la démarche de cette flottille…

— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) May 23, 2026

“This decision follows his unacceptable actions toward French and European citizens aboard the Global Smud flotilla. We disapprove of this flotilla's approach, which produces no useful effect and burdens diplomatic and consular services, whose professionalism and dedication I salute. But we cannot tolerate French nationals being threatened, intimidated, or brutalized in this way, especially by a public official," he wrote on X.

Barrot added that the actions had been condemned by several Israeli political figures and were consistent with what he described as a broader pattern of incitement.

He also called on the European Union to consider coordinated sanctions.

“Like my Italian colleague, I call on the European Union to also impose sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir.”

By Sabina Mammadli