France bans Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich over West Bank settlement policy

On 9 June, France announced new sanctions targeting Israeli officials linked to the intensification of settlement activity and violence in the occupied West Bank. French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot declared that Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, four leaders of settler organisations and 21 individual settlers are barred from entering French territory. The measure follows a similar ban on interior minister Itamar Ben Gvir and is coordinated with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway.

Palestinian authorities warned that the same Israeli policies are crippling their health system. Israel has been withholding Palestinian Authority tax revenues for 15 months, leaving hospitals unable to fund costly procedures and causing a shortage of essential medicines. About 11 000 surgeries have been suspended, staff face unpaid wages, and medical workers regularly strike to protest the deteriorating conditions.

Both developments underscore escalating diplomatic and humanitarian tensions surrounding Israel's actions in the occupied territories.