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Ireland imposes travel bans on two Israeli ministers
Ireland has barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin confirmed on Friday.
Background of the sanctions
This move follows similar actions by other Western nations. Last month, France banned Ben-Gvir after he posted a video mocking activists detained by Israeli forces during a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The incident drew condemnation from the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, and Canada, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called Ben-Gvir's actions inconsistent with Israel's values.
In 2025, the U.K., Australia, Norway, Canada, and New Zealand imposed sanctions on both ministers for "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities." The U.K. froze their assets and barred them from entry, marking the first time Western governments had sanctioned sitting Israeli ministers.
Irish government's stance
Speaking at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro, Martin stated that the ministers' rhetoric and actions "amount to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine." He urged the European Union to adopt further measures against them, a call already echoed by France, Spain, and Italy.
"Their behavior justifies sanctions at the EU level as well, and that's something we will pursue," Martin said. "Whether we can secure sufficient support across the EU remains to be seen."
A spokesperson for Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan confirmed the travel bans, noting they were approved by the government earlier this week. Immigration officers have been instructed to deny entry to Ben-Gvir and Smotrich if they attempt to visit Ireland.
Broader context of the Gaza conflict
The travel bans coincide with renewed violence in Gaza. Israel conducted airstrikes targeting four senior Hamas operatives, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect last October. The Israeli military accused Hamas of rearming and rebuilding its forces.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 72,950 deaths, according to the territory's health ministry.
