Israeli Minister Banned from France

TT

Updated 15.47 | Published 14.29

 

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich Banned from Entering France. Archive. Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP/TT

Israeli ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is banned from entering French territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced.

“We have banned Minister Bezalel Smotrich, four leaders of settler organizations and 21 violent settlers from our territory,” Barrot wrote on X on Tuesday.

He justified the decision by saying that Smotrich “actively advocates the annexation of the West Bank” and the colonization of the Gaza Strip.

The decision came weeks after his colleague, far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, was banned from entering the country.

The announcement came at the same time that France – along with Norway, Britain, Australia and Canada – expanded sanctions against Israeli settlers.

Israel characterized the decision as a “shameful measure.”