France demands EU sanctions after attack on Gaza-bound flotilla

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu demanded stronger European Union sanctions against Israel on Tuesday, telling the National Assembly that Paris must respond forcefully within the bloc's legal framework following the Israeli military's attack on a Gaza-bound humanitarian convoy in international waters.

Sanctions call

Lecornu said it is "essential to go further with sanctions in the framework of the European Union," insisting that France must utilize "the tools of the rule of law and in full respect of international law." He noted that the failure of certain states to respect international norms does not excuse French inaction, according to parliamentary transcripts.

Flotilla interception

The Israeli army intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla last Monday in international waters as the convoy attempted to breach the blockade of Gaza, which has remained in place since 2007. Live broadcasts showed naval forces boarding multiple vessels that had departed from the Turkish Mediterranean district of Marmaris four days earlier carrying 426 participants — including 96 Turkish activists and citizens from 39 other nations such as Germany, the US, and the UK.

Pattern of interceptions

The sanctions demand follows the circulation of footage showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir — a key coalition partner to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — waving an Israeli flag and taunting detained activists who were shown kneeling in tightly packed formations with their hands tied behind their backs. The April 29 incident off Crete saw forces detain 177 activists approximately 600 nautical miles from Gaza, according to organizers who reported mistreatment during the operation well outside Greek territorial waters.