Ireland bans Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich over Gaza conduct

Ireland has imposed an entry ban on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The country's Justice Ministry announced that immigration authorities have been instructed to deny entry to the Minister of National Security and the Finance Minister should they attempt to visit Ireland.

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played a decisive role in escalating the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza

The government in Dublin justified the decision by citing the ministers' conduct in relation to the Gaza conflict. According to the Irish Justice Ministry, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich played a "decisive role in escalating the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza." Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin stated at a summit in Montenegro that the ministers' behavior also warranted EU-level sanctions.

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the behavior of the two ministers also warranted EU-level sanctions

Martin pointed to the ministers' repeated statements and their handling of a pro-Palestinian aid flotilla. He asserted that their actions and remarks essentially reflected a desire to "eliminate the Palestinians from Palestine." Ireland has been a strong critic of Israel's actions in Gaza and recognized a Palestinian state in 2024, which led Israel's Foreign Minister to order the closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin, citing Ireland's "extremely anti-Israeli policy."

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the desire to eliminate the Palestinians from Palestine