Ireland announces it has banned National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, slamming their anti-Palestinian statements and behavior toward Gaza flotilla activists.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan “has instructed immigration officers to refuse entry to Itamar Ben Gvir — Minister for National Security of Israel, and Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance of Israel — should they seek to enter the state,” a justice ministry statement says.
After Ben Gvir mocked Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel last month, Irish taoiseach (prime minister) Micheal Martin says Ireland will act to bar entry of Israeli officials seen as fomenting conflict in Gaza.
The two far-right ministers’ behavior “not just in the context of the flotilla, but their consistent statements… essentially amount to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine,” Martin tells reporters during a summit in Montenegro.
“In my view, their behavior justifies sanctions at the EU level as well,” he says.
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