France bans Ben-Gvir over flotilla video

Ben-Gvir said Israel should focus on deterrence and national security rather than international reaction to the incident.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

France announced Saturday that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir would be barred from entering the country after videos circulated showing him confronting detained Gaza flotilla activists at Ashdod port.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X on Saturday that “From today, Itamar Ben Gvir is banned from entering French territory” because of “his reprehensible actions towards French and European citizens” who were part of the humanitarian flotilla.

Barrot said France and Italy were also seeking European Union sanctions against Ben-Gvir over what he described as “intolerable” conduct.

While saying he didn’t agree with the flotilla itself, Barrot said France could not “tolerate French nationals being threatened, intimidated or abused in this way, especially by a public official.”

The footage showed dozens of activists kneeling on the ground at a facility at Ashdod port, apparently with their hands tied, while some detainees were moved aside during Ben-Gvir’s visit.

In one video, Ben-Gvir waved a large Israeli flag and declared in Hebrew, “Welcome to Israel, we are the masters.” Another clip showed protesters appearing restrained while Israel’s national anthem played from a speaker. Ben-Gvir told one detainee, “This is how it needs to be.”

The Foreign Ministry said the flotilla operation had “come to an end” after activists attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza were detained at Ashdod port.

Thirty-six French nationals were among more than 400 passengers aboard the flotilla, which departed from Turkey.

Israel believed some participants were linked to the IHH organization, which is banned in Israel over suspected ties to Hamas.

Italy, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal summoned Israeli ambassadors over the incident, while Spain summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized Ben-Gvir’s conduct, saying: “You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time.” He added, “You are not the face of Israel.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s right to stop “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters,” but said Ben-Gvir’s handling of the detainees was “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”

Responding to criticism, Ben-Gvir said Israel should focus on deterrence and national security rather than international reaction to the incident.

“He’s worried about the images? I’m worried about the security of the citizens of Israel,” Ben-Gvir said, referring to Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. “He looks for international sympathy; we look for deterrence.”

Ben-Gvir said Israel must demonstrate force against those seeking to harm the country.

“A state that doesn’t know how to set boundaries, enforce, and rule, invites its enemies to its doors and will end up sacrificing its security on the altar of failed diplomacy,” he said.