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Ireland has imposed travel bans on two senior Israeli ministers and is urging the European Union to consider wider sanctions against them over their statements and conduct related to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin confirmed on Friday.
The restrictions apply to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, two prominent figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition who have drawn criticism from several European capitals in recent weeks.
Speaking at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, Martin argued that the pair's rhetoric reflected a desire to remove Palestinians from their homeland and warranted a stronger international response.
Dublin intends to raise the matter with its European partners and advocate for bloc-wide measures, although Martin acknowledged that securing support among all member states could prove difficult.
"That's again something that the international community needs to take on board and we will be pursuing that with others," he said. "In my view, their behaviour justifies sanctions at EU level as well."
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan instructed immigration officials to deny entry to both men following an agreement reached by the government earlier this week. According to a statement from his office, border authorities have been directed to refuse admission should either official seek to enter the country.
The statement framed the decision as part of Ireland's efforts to prevent individuals viewed as contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from traveling to the country. Local media reported that the measure was approved outside the formal cabinet process and did not require additional authorization.
The travel ban comes after Ben-Gvir faced mounting criticism across Europe over his response to a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces last month.
France barred the Israeli minister from entering the country after he published footage showing detained activists kneeling with their hands bound behind their backs following the operation. The video sparked condemnation from several governments and rights groups, which accused Israeli authorities of humiliating those taken into custody.
Spain, France and Italy have also called on the European Union to consider sanctions against Ben-Gvir, while Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin and Foreign Minister Helen McEntee were among European officials who publicly criticized the footage.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, on the other hand, an ultranationalist minister who has drawn condemnation from European governments for supporting settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and for comments about Gaza that critics say encourage the displacement of Palestinians.
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