Poland's foreign minister requests ban on Israel's Ben-Gvir entering country
Poland Responds to Detention of Gaza Flotilla Activists
Background of the Incident
WARSAW, May 21 (Reuters) - Poland wants to ban Israel's far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, after outrage in Warsaw over the detention of Gaza flotilla activists.
Summoning of Israeli Diplomat
Earlier the Polish minister had summoned the Israeli chargé d'affaires over the detention of Gaza flotilla activists, including Polish nationals, demanding their immediate release and an apology.
Official Condemnation and Expectations
"Poland firmly condemns the conduct of representatives of the Israeli authorities towards activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla detained by the Israeli army, including Polish citizens," Radoslaw Sikorski said on X.
He said Poland expected its citizens to be treated in line with international standards, and that consular officials were seeking access to detainees.
Details on Polish Nationals Detained
Repatriation of Citizens
A spokesperson for the ministry later said that there were two Polish nationals detained and that they would be repatriated on Thursday night.
"Today, our citizens, and not only our citizens, will leave Israel. This is very good news," Maciej Wewior told reporters.
Ban Request Against Ben-Gvir
Rationale Behind the Ban
"Minister Sikorski has decided to ask the Ministry of Interior and Administration to ban Minister Ben-Gvir from entering the territory of the Republic of Poland due to his actions," he added.
Diplomatic Protest
The Israeli chargé d’affaires had been summoned "to convey our outrage and demand an apology for the extremely inappropriate behavior of a member of the Israeli government", Sikorski wrote on X.
International and Domestic Reactions
Criticism of Israeli Actions
Israeli police on Wednesday forced activists who were aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to kneel on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their backs while Ben-Gvir looked on, drawing criticism from foreign leaders and even from inside Israel's own government.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Barbara Erling, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
