France has banned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entry, condemning his calls for West Bank annexation and Gaza 'recolonisation'. He joins dozens of Israelis sanctioned by several Western nations.

France on Tuesday banned Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entry, slamming the far-right politician’s calls for the annexation of the occupied West Bank, new settlements in the area and the “recolonisation” of Gaza. Smotrich was among dozens of Israelis who were slapped with sanctions by France, Britain, Canada, ​Australia, New Zealand and Norway.