France bans Israel minister Ben-Gvir after flotilla video
· DWThe Israeli far-right minister released a video taunting detained Gaza aid flotilla activists, prompting widespread criticism at home and internationally.
France has banned Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, from entering its territory after a widely condemned video was shared on his X account showing him taunting pro-Palestinian activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
"As from today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on social media.
France, Spain and Italy are also pushing for EU sanctions on Ben-Gvir.
Ben-Gvir video widely condemned
The video, published on Ben-Gvir's X account with the caption "That's how we welcome the terrorism supporters. Welcome to Israel," shows the activists kneeling with their foreheads on the ground and their hands tied.
The activists' vessel was sailing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza when it was intercepted by Israeli security forces in international waters.
In the video, the minister is seen walking among the bound activists with a group of supporters, waving an Israeli flag while mocking and taunting the detainees.
The footage was widely criticized by critics and allies of Israel alike, and Ben-Gvir's conduct was rebuked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Activists say they were abused in Israeli custody
The activists have since been deported from Israel.
On Friday, the Global Sumud Flotilla said some of the detainees were subjected to physical and sexual abuse. Israeli prison services denied that any abuse took place.
Germany said some of its nationals who were part of the flotilla and detained in Israel had been injured, adding that some of the "allegations in the air are serious," without giving further details.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
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