The Irish government has taken a strict measure by banning the entry of Israeli National Security and Finance Ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, into its territory. This decision comes amid escalating international criticism of the policies pursued by the two far-right ministers regarding the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
Irish Justice Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, issued direct and clear instructions to immigration officers at all border crossings to prevent the entry of the two ministers should they attempt to reach the country. This official move reflects the extent of diplomatic tension between Dublin and Tel Aviv in light of the violations in the Palestinian territories.
For his part, Irish Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, confirmed the enforcement of the travel ban, indicating that the instructions were issued definitively to prevent any attempt by Israeli officials to travel to Ireland. Martin clarified that this step comes as a necessary response to confront the continuous incitement to violence and displacement.
The timing of the decision was linked to the publication of a video by Minister Itamar Ben Gvir showing the abuse of international activists who were arrested during their participation in the 'Fleet of Resilience'. The fleet aimed to break the naval blockade and deliver vital humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip last month.
The Irish Prime Minister, during statements made at a summit in Montenegro, stressed that the behavior of the two ministers is not limited to the fleet incident, but extends to their systematic statements. He considered that these positions clearly express a genuine desire to displace the Palestinian people from their homeland and liquidate their cause.
Dublin did not stop at the national measure, but Micheál Martin called for expanding these measures to include the entire European Union. He believed that imposing collective sanctions at the continental level has become justified given the extremist behavior that threatens stability in the region.
The Irish move comes in the context of increasing international isolation for the two ministers, as France had previously prevented Ben Gvir from entering its territory last month. Britain also took a similar decision in June 2025, followed by other European countries such as Spain and Slovenia, indicating a growing European consensus against the far-right.
Ireland is one of the most prominent European voices advocating for Palestinian rights and condemning Israeli aggression since October 2023. Its positions culminated in the official recognition of the State of Palestine in 2024, a step that sparked widespread anger in Israeli political circles.
In response to Ireland's advanced positions, Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, had earlier ordered the closure of his country's embassy in Dublin. This closure reflects the depth of the diplomatic rift and the relations between the two parties reaching their lowest historical levels due to the sharp divergence in positions.
It is worth noting that Ben Gvir and Smotrich represent the main pillar of the government coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu since the end of 2022. Their policies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip raise widespread international concern, especially regarding settlement expansion and plans for annexation and forced displacement.
The consistent statements of the two ministers essentially amount to a desire to remove Palestinians from their land, which justifies imposing comprehensive sanctions.
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Ireland bans Ben Gvir and Smotrich from entering its territory and calls for European sanctions