Ireland has banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, accusing the two far-right officials of actions against pro-Palestinian activists and backing policies that seek to push Palestinians off their land.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin confirmed the move on July 18, stating that the two ministers had endorsed views “expressing a desire to erase Palestinians from Palestine.”
Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have repeatedly called for Israel to annex Palestinian territories and remove Palestinians from Gaza, sparking criticism from human rights groups and several foreign governments.
Martin also referenced the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who participated in an aid convoy to Gaza last month. Ben-Gvir sparked outrage by sharing a video mocking detained activists as they knelt on the floor, blindfolded and with their hands tied.
In a statement, Ireland’s Department of Justice said Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan had instructed immigration staff to deny entry to Ben-Gvir and Smotrich should they attempt to enter the country.
Ben-Gvir became a minister in 2022 after allying with Smotrich’s far-right Religious Zionism party, which came third in legislative elections. Smotrich, who lives in an illegal Israeli settlement, advocates for Israel’s annexation of the occupied West Bank and hopes to “kill the idea” of a Palestinian state. The two form the foundation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.
Speaking at a summit in Montenegro, PM Martin argued the Israeli ministers should also face sanctions at the EU level. “In my view, their conduct justifies sanctions at EU level, and that’s what we will put forward. Whether there will be sufficient support across the European Union is another matter,” Martin told RTE.
Ireland has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel since the start of Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza. In 2024, Ireland officially recognized the state of Palestine, prompting Israel to order the closure of its embassy in Dublin.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have previously been banned from entering several other European countries, including the UK, Spain, and Slovenia. Last month, France also barred Ben-Gvir from entry.
