Since Saturday, France has banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced this on X in response to "unacceptable conduct" toward French and European participants of the Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla. Italy had already asked the EU for sanctions earlier, France joined the call on Saturday, and Spain has also endorsed the appeal. Britain summoned the country's most senior Israeli diplomat over an "outrageous video."
The immediate trigger was a video that Ben-Gvir posted on Wednesday. It shows detained activists kneeling with their foreheads to the ground and their hands bound, while the minister waves an Israeli flag around them with the caption "Welcome to Israel." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu distanced himself from the footage, stating that such treatment "is not in line with Israel's values and norms."
Most of the detainees were deported on Thursday via Turkey (422 evacuated, including 337 foreigners from 41 countries). After returning home, they accused Israeli forces of abuse during their detention. Flotilla organizers reported at least 15 cases of sexual violence, including rape, shooting with rubber projectiles at close range, and broken bones suffered by dozens of people. These claims cannot yet be independently verified. Canada, Germany, and Spain reported injuries or the need for medical treatment among their citizens and demanded an explanation from Israel. Madrid specified that four of the 44 Spaniards required medical assistance. The Israeli Prison Service and the military rejected the accusations as "false and without factual basis," stating that the detainees were treated "in accordance with the law."
Meanwhile, in Rome, the prosecutor's office has begun examining testimonies from the returned volunteers and is also looking into Ben-Gvir's role. Among those who returned is Slovak citizen Dáša Raimanová, who made her way home via Britain.
France bans entry to Minister Ben-Gvir, EU discusses sanctions. Returning flotilla activists accuse Israel of abuse
This summary was written in cooperation with AI. It may contain inaccuracies. Please verify information in the original sources below.
Sources (3)
Francúzsko zakázalo vstup izraelskému ministrovi Ben-Gvirovi pre video z deportácie
RTE
| 13:00 23.05.
EÚ pripravuje sankcie voči Ben-Gvirovi, rímska prokuratúra vypočúva svedkov
La Repubblica
| 14:00 23.05.
Itamar Ben-Gvir má zákaz vstupu do Francúzska pre „neprijateľné konanie"
Le Monde
| 12:00 23.05.
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