Ireland imposes travel ban on Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich

Irish Taoiseach Martin says the far-right ministers person shown ‘a tendency to spot the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine’.

Ireland has barred Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, from visiting the country, citing their behaviour towards pro-Palestinian activists and enactment for policies that would displace Palestinians from their homeland.

Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin – known arsenic the Taoiseach – confirmed the determination connected Friday, saying the 2 far-right ministers had advocated positions that amounted to “a tendency to spot the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine”.

Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich person repeatedly called for Israel to annex Palestinian territories and push Palestinians retired of Gaza, provoking condemnation from rights groups and respective overseas governments.

Martin besides referenced the attraction of pro-Palestinian activists who were portion of a Gaza-bound assistance flotilla past month.

Ben-Gvir provoked widespread condemnation erstwhile helium shared video of himself mocking the detained activists arsenic they knelt connected the floor, blindfolded, with their hands bound.

In a statement, Ireland’s justness ministry said Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan had instructed migration officers to garbage introduction to Ben-Gvir and Smotrich should they question to participate the state.

Ben-Gvir became a curate successful 2022, aft an confederation with Smotrich’s far-right Religious Zionist enactment came 3rd successful legislative elections.

Smotrich, who himself lives connected an amerciable Israeli settlement, has been a vocal advocator of Israel annexing the occupied West Bank, saying helium hopes to “kill the idea” of a Palestinian state.

Together, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich signifier a cornerstone of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.

‘Justifies EU sanctions’

Addressing Ireland’s question prohibition astatine a acme successful Montenegro, Martin said the 2 Israeli ministers should besides beryllium taxable to EU sanctions.

“In my view, their behaviour justifies sanctions astatine EU level arsenic well, and that’s thing that we volition raise, whether we tin get capable enactment crossed the European Union is simply a antithetic matter,” Martin was quoted by Irish broadcaster RTE.

Since Israel’s genocidal attacks connected Gaza, Ireland has been among the astir outspoken critics of Israel.

In 2024, Ireland officially recognised the Palestinian state, aft which Israel ordered the closure of its embassy successful Dublin.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich person faced bans from other European countries implicit their conduct, including Britain, Spain and Slovenia. Last month, France banned Ben-Gvir from entry.