France bars Israel Finance Minister Smotrich from entry

France has barred Israel Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering its territory starting Tuesday, June 9, 2026. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the move was taken because Smotrich has actively pushed for annexation of the West Bank, settlement expansion and the idea of the “reoccupation” of Gaza. Paris also barred four leaders of settler organizations and 21 settlers involved in violence from entering France. Barrot said the sanctions were coordinated with Britain, Canada, Australia, Norway and New Zealand and targeted those responsible for the rise in settler violence in the West Bank. Smotrich is the second minister in Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet to face a French entry ban after Itamar Ben Gvir in May.