Ireland has announced that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have been banned from entering the country.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs stated that the entry of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been prohibited.
According to Ireland’s state broadcaster, the statement said:
“In line with Prime Minister Micheál Martin’s commitment to take action to prevent members of the Israeli government who have played a role in fueling the catastrophe in Gaza from entering our country, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has instructed immigration officers not to permit the entry of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich should they attempt to enter Ireland.”
Martin also stated that further European Union measures should be taken against the two Israeli officials, arguing that their actions and statements amounted to “wanting the complete removal of Palestinians from Palestine.”
In May, Politico reported, citing sources, that the names of the two ministers had been removed from potential European Union sanctions lists.