EU debates sanctions on Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir after activist humiliation

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was captured on video humiliating members of the international Flotilla Global Sumud, binding and kneeling them while mocking the activists. The incident sparked outrage in the European Union, with the European Council and high‑ranking officials calling the treatment “completely unacceptable” and demanding the activists’ immediate release.

Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani has formally asked the EU to impose sanctions on Ben Gvir, joining Spain, Ireland and Poland, which have already barred the minister from entering their territories. The proposal faces division among the 27 EU member states; Germany and other nations remain hesitant to extend sanctions to other coalition ministers such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The debate highlights a growing diplomatic rift between the EU and Israel over human‑rights concerns and could affect future cooperation agreements.