PARIS — France's government asked prosecutors to investigate Israel's alleged violent mistreatment of activists from a flotilla to Gaza and banned Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory on May 23. The actions followed reports of abuse against French nationals detained after their vessel was intercepted in international waters.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot referred the matter to the public prosecutor, citing a diplomatic report from Turkey that described serious abuses. "I received a report from French diplomats in Turkey that 'detailed sexual violence, exposure to cold, beatings and repeated humiliations of French nationals — all acts that could constitute criminal offenses,'" Barrot said. He added, "I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor. This case is now in the hands of the justice system."

Under French criminal procedure law, prosecutors determine whether complaints warrant formal charges. The investigation concerns activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of 50 boats intercepted approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) off Israel's coast. Israeli forces detained the activists, later releasing and deporting hundreds of them to Turkey.

Activists accused Israeli authorities of mistreatment during detention, including beatings, use of tasers, and deployment of attack dogs. Israel denied any mistreatment of the flotilla participants. The controversy intensified after Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, promoted a video showing himself taunting detained activists.

In response, France announced an indefinite ban on Ben-Gvir entering its territory. Barrot stated in a May 23 post: "We cannot tolerate that French nationals can be threatened, intimidated or brutalized in this way — all the more so by a public official." The ban reflects France's formal condemnation of conduct it deems incompatible with its legal and diplomatic standards.

France’s actions followed verified descriptions from its own diplomats of alleged abuses, including sexual violence and repeated humiliations, against French citizens among the flotilla participants. The government’s referral to prosecutors initiates a legal process under French law to assess whether these alleged acts constitute criminal offenses.