France bans Israeli finance minister Bezalel Szmotrics, widens sanctions on West Bank settlers

France officially expelled Israeli finance minister Bezalel Szmotrics, saying he actively promotes annexation of the West Bank and calls for the re‑occupation of Gaza. French foreign minister Jean‑Noël Barrot described Szmotrics' policies as undermining the two‑state solution and announced the ban alongside new sanctions targeting 21 Israeli settlers and four organisations accused of violent activities.

The move follows the earlier expulsion of Israeli interior minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir and was coordinated with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. The allied countries said they would cut off access for those officials and settler leaders to curb settlement expansion and related violence. Israel condemned the action as a scandalous interference in its sovereign affairs.