THIS is with reference to the report ‘France bans Israeli security minister Ben Gvir from country’ (Dawn.Com, May 23). Today, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is portrayed as a monster by various European countries for wielding European-supplied weapons against Palestinians. This is irony. Gvir is not actually doing anything new; rather, he is just continuing what the illegal occupation has been practising against Palestinians since 1948. Barbarity has always existed in Palestine. The difference the world — especially Europe — witnesses today is a result of some independent media outlets, social media influencers and other such volunteering journalists from Gaza.

The West is utterly humane when it shows outrage, but it simultaneously fuels the same genocidal regime. This is sheer hypocrisy. France is no stranger to genocide — Rwanda knows that well. Although France has banned Ben Gvir, seemingly drawing a moral line, it ceases to keep weapons flowing to Israel since the start of the Gaza war. Some civil society organisations allege that bombs, grenades, missiles, munitions, rocket launchers, artillery and rifle components have continued to pass through French channels. French ports and airports have reportedly served as key transit hubs for American military shipments as well.

Ben Gvir and the likes are mere scape-goats. When global pressure against the occupation peaks, governments paint settlers as ‘rogue elements’ to divert criticism. These settlers are nothing but tools in the hands of the Israeli government, supported by the cunning West at large, for carrying out its inhuman activities.

Angabeen Ahmad
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2026