France Bars Israeli Finance Minister, Settler Leaders from Entering Country

France announced on Tuesday that it is banning Israel's finance minister from entering French territory. The decision was made in coordination with Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. Those five countries had already announced sanctions against the finance minister and Israel's national security minister in June of the previous year.

" The French announcement also bars four leaders of settler organizations and 21 individuals described as violent settlers. Britain separately urged its businesses and citizens to avoid financial activities linked to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Britain's foreign secretary told parliament that violent settler groups should not profit from land seized from Palestinians.

The finance minister is the second Israeli minister barred from France in recent months. Israel's national security minister was barred on May 23. Israel's foreign ministry condemned the measures. A spokesman said the steps attempt to impose a political stance on Jewish settlement rights in the Land of Israel. Spain, Slovenia and Ireland have also imposed entry bans on the two ministers.