France has barred Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering its territory, escalating diplomatic tensions over Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Key highlight:
- Settlement and annexation stance cited
France said the ban was linked to Smotrich’s support for West Bank annexation, settlement expansion, and remarks viewed as advocating the recolonisation of Gaza. - More sanctions on Israeli figures
Smotrich has already faced sanctions from countries including United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway. - Additional restrictions imposed
France also announced entry bans on four Israeli settler leaders and 21 individuals accused of involvement in violent settler activities. - Growing international pressure on Israel
The move adds to increasing scrutiny of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s government, with several European countries adopting measures against hardline Israeli officials over the Gaza and West Bank conflicts.
The decision, announced on Tuesday by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, comes amid growing international pressure on Israeli officials accused of promoting settlement expansion and hardline positions in the West Bank and Gaza.
According to the French foreign ministry, Smotrich was banned over his repeated calls supporting the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and statements described by Paris as advocating the “recolonisation” of Gaza.
The move places Smotrich among a growing list of Israeli officials facing travel restrictions from Western governments. He has also been sanctioned by countries including Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway.
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France also confirmed entry bans on four leaders of Israeli settler organisations and 21 individuals it described as violent settlers, as part of broader measures targeting extremist activity linked to settlement expansion.
The latest decision follows a similar move last month when France barred Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has also faced sanctions from several countries over controversial statements and actions related to Gaza and Palestinian activists.
Together, Smotrich and Ben Gvir are key figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing governing coalition, which has faced increasing international scrutiny over its handling of the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.
Other European countries, including Ireland, Spain and Slovenia, have also introduced restrictions targeting the two ministers, reflecting widening divisions between Israel and parts of the international community.
Smotrich has previously drawn condemnation for remarks calling for the “total annihilation” of Gaza and for advocating harsh measures against Palestinian communities in the occupied territories.
Under international law, Israeli settlements in the West Bank are widely considered illegal, a position reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice in 2024.
France’s move is expected to further strain diplomatic relations, as European governments continue to debate how to respond to escalating tensions in the region while balancing security concerns and international legal obligations.
