France bans Israeli security minister over 'unspeakable' video taunting flotilla activists

France has banned Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, after he shared video of himself taunting activists from a flotilla to Gaza.

In the footage, Mr Ben-Gvir, a member of the far-right party Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), can be seen waving a large Israeli flag over detainees who appear to have their hands tied behind their back.

He can also be seen taunting a kneeling detainee whose wrists are bound, yelling "Am Yisrael Chai", which is Hebrew for "the nation of Israel lives".

Another clip shows detainees with their foreheads on the floor as the Israeli national anthem plays.

In a post on X on Saturday, French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, said: "As of today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory.

"This decision follows his unspeakable actions toward French and European citizens who were passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla.

"We cannot tolerate that French nationals can be threatened, intimidated or brutalised in this way - all the more so by a public official."

He was also critical of flotilla activists attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and added: "We disapprove of this flotilla's approach, which produces no useful effect and places an additional burden on diplomatic and consular services".

The flotilla of 50 boats, carrying about 430 people, was intercepted in international waters some 250 miles (400 km) off the coast of Israel.

Detained activists accused Israeli forces of mistreatment, describing beatings, tasers, and attack dogs.

World leaders - including coalition partner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - condemned Mr Ben-Gvir's on-camera treatment of the detainees.

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Poland also announced a five-year ban on Mr Ben-Gvir on Thursday.

"In the democratic world we do not abuse and gloat over people in custody," Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski said.

Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, was one of the detainees to arrive at Dublin Airport on Saturday.

She was among the first wave of detainees after Israeli authorities intercepted the flotilla on Monday.

Detainees were then taken to Israel before being deported to Turkey on Thursday.

Dr Connolly said Israeli authorities "wanted us to suffer".

"None of them could look us in the eye. What a dehumanising thing to do to men and women aged 22 up to 75," she said.

Other detainees returning to Dublin described their poor treatment, and recounted being beaten, having guns pointed at them and being "tortured".

(c) Sky News 2026: France bans Israeli security minister over 'unspeakable' video taunting flotilla activists