Ireland bans two senior Israeli ministers from entering the country

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Israeli ministers’ actions and statements warranted sanctions.

By World Israel News Staff

Ireland has barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, citing their conduct toward anti-Israel activists detained on a recent Gaza flotilla, and the ministers’ statements about Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip, accusing the two of seeking the “elimination” of Palestinians.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the move Friday while speaking to reporters at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro.

He said Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan had instructed Irish immigration officials to block the two Israeli ministers if they attempt to enter Ireland.

“In my view, their behavior justifies sanctions at the EU level as well,” Martin said.

He said Ireland would raise the matter with other European governments, though he acknowledged that securing broader EU agreement could be difficult.

“Whether we can get sufficient support across the European Union is a different matter,” Martin said.

But he added that the two ministers’ conduct, “not just in the context of the flotilla, but their consistent statements in terms of Palestinians essentially amount to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine.”

“That’s something that the international community needs to take on board, and we will be pursuing that with others,” he said.

A spokesperson for O’Callaghan said the justice minister had “instructed immigration officers to refuse entry to Ben-Gvir and Smotrich should they seek to enter the state.”

The spokesperson said the decision was in line with Martin’s earlier pledge that Ireland would act against Israeli government members who had been “instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza.”

The ban follows international criticism of Ben-Gvir over a video he posted after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla last month.

The footage showed detained anti-Israel activists kneeling with their hands bound as Ben-Gvir waved an Israeli flag and taunted them. The clip was captioned “Welcome to Israel.”

Ben-Gvir responded to Ireland’s announcement, writing on his X account: “If this antisemite calls for sanctions against me, I probably did something right.”

Ireland, one of Europe’s sharpest critics of Israel, recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024.

Britain barred both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir from entering in 2025, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway also imposed similar measures.

France later barred Ben-Gvir after the flotilla video, while Spain and Slovenia have also moved against the ministers.