France has banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from entering the country following his conduct toward activists seized by Israeli forces during a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The announcement was made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday, who condemned Ben Gvir’s actions against French and European citizens participating in the humanitarian mission.

The ban comes after Ben Gvir posted a video on Wednesday depicting detained activists in Israeli custody. The footage showed dozens of activists forced to kneel with their foreheads on the ground and hands tied while Ben Gvir heckled them, waving an Israeli flag. The activists, including 36 French nationals, were part of a convoy of approximately 50 vessels organized under the Global Sumud Flotilla, aiming to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Israel’s military intercepted the flotilla in international waters, detaining the participants before deporting them.

Barrot stated that while France does not endorse the flotilla’s actions, deeming them ineffective and potentially provocative, it cannot condone the intimidation or mistreatment of French citizens, especially by a government official. Italy has joined France in calling for European Union-level sanctions against the far-right Israeli minister. Spain has also urged the EU to impose measures on Ben Gvir, and the United Kingdom summoned Israel’s senior diplomat in London over what it described as “an inflammatory video.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben Gvir’s treatment of the activists, characterizing it as inconsistent with Israel’s values, but he opted to retain the security minister in his position. Netanyahu previously labeled the humanitarian mission a “malicious scheme” intended to assist Hamas.

Since 2007, Israel has maintained a blockade of Gaza and controls all entry points. The recent flotilla marked the latest attempt by activists to challenge this blockade, following a previous convoy intercepted by Israeli forces last month. The incident has reignited tensions over Israel’s restrictions on Gaza and the broader humanitarian situation in the region.