Israeli far-right minister barred from entering France

France – along with the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway – has imposed the same ban as part of new sanctions targeting individuals responsible for escalating settlement activities and violence in the West Bank. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on June 9 that a travel ban had been placed on Israeli far-right Foreign Minister Bezalel Smotrich, citing his "active promotion of the annexation of the West Bank."

The statement emphasized that this measure was "jointly decided with our partners from the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway" and forms part of broader sanctions targeting "those responsible for the escalation of settlement activities and violence in the West Bank."

The statement detailed: "Violent extremist settlers, with the assistance of their supporters, continue to launch attacks against Palestinians and violate their rights. They resort to violence, displace Palestinians, destroy their property, and persist in illegal settlement activities." For years, violent settlers have operated with near impunity, while settlement expansion and the establishment of outposts have continued under the support and assistance of the Israeli government. In some cases, settlers even carried out acts of violence under the protection of Israeli security forces.

The statement concluded: "If the Israeli government does not swiftly take action to address the situation on the ground, we remain prepared to take further steps."

Second Israeli minister targeted by such measures

"Bezalel Smotrich actively promotes the annexation of the West Bank (he has openly claimed the right to do so), establishes new settlements in the West Bank, seeks to re-colonize Gaza, and causes economic collapse of the Palestinian Authority—along with catastrophic consequences for the Palestinian people—this is a policy that the vast majority of the international community committed to a two-state solution cannot accept," wrote Jean-Noël Barrot on social media platform X. "Four leaders of settler organizations and 21 violent settlers" were also banned from entering France, the minister added, though he provided no further details and did not name those affected.

Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, immediately issued a statement condemning these "shameful measures." He asserted: "The true nature of these actions lies in attempting to impose a particular narrative about the right of Jews to settle in Israel's land and political stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—all disguised as measures aimed at combating violence."

Smotrich is the second Israeli government member to face such sanctions, following National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, another far-right figure who has been banned from entering France since May 23. This followed the release of a video showing activists on a Gaza-bound flotilla with their hands tied and kneeling on the ground.

Since 1967, Israel has occupied the West Bank. Violent incidents linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have erupted in the Gaza Strip, with the catalyst being Hamas’s unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

According to AFP data based on figures provided by the Palestinian Authority, at least 1,080 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers in the West Bank since then—including numerous fighters and a large number of civilians. Meanwhile, according to official Israeli data, at least 46 Israelis (including civilians and soldiers) have been killed in Palestinian attacks or military operations.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867569520108544/

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