Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich banned
Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP/TT

Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich banned from entering France

Israel's ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been banned from entering France, 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.

Barrot 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 far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir - a colleague of Smotrich - was placed under an entry ban.

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 action."

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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