France Bars Smotrich From Entry, Citing West Bank Annexation Push

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced today, Tuesday, that France is joining Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway in barring Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering its territory. The same sanction was also imposed on four heads of settler organizations and 21 additional settlers, following the escalation in violent incidents in Judea and Samaria. At the same time, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced in Parliament new sanctions against six entities and one individual involved in financing, encouraging and carrying out settler violence in the West Bank.

Alongside the sanctions, the British foreign secretary announced tougher economic measures. For the first time, Britain’s official business guide explicitly recommends that British companies avoid any economic or financial activity in the settlements, while continuing trade with Israel within the 1967 borders. Britain reiterated its position that the settlements are illegal under international law and called on the Israeli government to stop their expansion, act against violence and prosecute those responsible. "Today we are acting together with our international partners to impose sanctions on those who support and fund violence against Palestinian communities," Cooper said in her speech. "Settlement expansion and violence are a violation of the law and pose a fundamental threat to the viability of a two-state solution, to long-term peace and to the security of Israelis and Palestinians alike."

According to the statement, the measures come against the backdrop of record levels of violence and settlement expansion projects, including the E1 project. Alongside the diplomatic and economic steps, Britain also announced expanded support for the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza Strip. The British government will provide at least 10 million pounds, about 40 million shekels, in economic aid and technical support to the Palestinian Authority during 2026, intended to address the fiscal crisis and preserve essential services. An additional at least 1 million pounds, about 4 million shekels, will be allocated for humanitarian demining activity in Gaza, along with a call on Israel to open the crossings and remove restrictions on the flow of aid.

MK Dan Illouz (Likud) responded: "The disgraceful decision by Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway to impose sanctions on Minister Smotrich because of his work in Judea and Samaria is a spit in the face of the value of freedom and a direct reward for terrorism. As a native of Canada, I am appalled by the moral bankruptcy of countries that once were a beacon for the free world, and have now sunk into hypocrisy and denied that Judea and Samaria are our land and the heart of our historical homeland. While Israel bleeds in a war for survival against murderous monsters, the leaders of these countries choose shame and stab an ally in the back. They do this from their comfortable sofas, while our soldiers risk their lives for the entire free world. This is a historic moment of darkness for weak leadership that has lost every trace of moral compass and chooses to stand on the dark side of history while ignoring our natural and historical right to the land. Israel will continue to defend its citizens, build and hold throughout our land and prevail, and we will not bow our heads even for a moment before double standards that are pathetic and shameless."