Nicosia, Cyprus. Hanamel Dorfman, chief of staff to Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, cancelled a planned visit to Cyprus after being warned that a French administrative measure could create difficulties entering European countries.
Planned rehabilitation programme
Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Wednesday that Dorfman had been scheduled to travel to Cyprus about two weeks earlier to take part in a rehabilitation programme for Israeli police officers involved in operations following the October 7, 2023, attacks who had experienced traumatic events.
According to the report, Israeli security authorities coordinating the visit were told that France had imposed an administrative measure against Dorfman which could affect his entry into European states.
Officials were reportedly advised that he could be refused entry and returned to Israel, leading to the cancellation of the trip.
Dorfman’s response
Dorfman criticised the reported French decision, calling it “an honour” that “an anti-Semitic country like France is trying to harm me because of my close relationship with Minister Ben Gvir”.
“This proves that I am on the right path. France will continue to protest, and I will continue to implement Minister Ben Gvir’s policy and serve Israel’s national interests,” he said.
Political plans
The reported cancellation came weeks after Israeli media said Dorfman was expected to resign as Ben Gvir’s chief of staff to run for the Otzma Yehudit party in the next Knesset elections.
Israeli civil servants are not permitted to remain in office while contesting parliamentary elections.
Before joining Ben Gvir’s office, Dorfman was identified with the Hilltop Youth, an extremist settler movement active in the West Bank.
