France has officially banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country following international outrage over a video showing detained Gaza aid activists being mocked while in Israeli custody.

The controversy began after Israeli forces intercepted the “Global Sumud” aid flotilla, a convoy of around 50 boats attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade. Hundreds of activists from several European countries, including France, were detained during the operation.

Shortly afterward, Ben-Gvir posted videos on social media showing detainees kneeling on the ground with their hands restrained behind their backs while Israeli flags and nationalist slogans were displayed around them. In one clip, the far-right minister appeared to taunt the activists as they remained in custody. The footage quickly sparked backlash across Europe and beyond.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that Ben-Gvir was now prohibited from entering French territory, calling his behavior toward French and European citizens “reprehensible” and “unspeakable.” France also urged the European Union to consider broader sanctions against the Israeli minister.

Several governments condemned the video, arguing that detainees should be treated with dignity regardless of political disagreements. Italy, Spain, Poland, and other European nations also criticized the incident, while Poland reportedly moved toward imposing its own entry ban on Ben-Gvir.

The controversy even triggered criticism inside Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly distanced himself from the minister’s actions, saying the treatment shown in the videos did not reflect Israel’s values.

Some activists later alleged they were mistreated or assaulted while detained, although Israeli authorities denied the accusations. Most of the detained foreign nationals have since been deported.

The diplomatic dispute has added further tension to already strained relations between Israel and several European governments amid ongoing international concern over the war in Gaza and humanitarian access to the territory.