Ireland has imposed travel bans on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Prime Minister Micheál Martin confirmed Friday. The bans come after the ministers faced international condemnation for statements and actions described as inciting extremist violence against Palestinians.
The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada previously expressed outrage over the ministers' conduct. The UK had already banned both men and frozen their assets. Ireland's Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has instructed immigration officers to deny them entry to the country.
Speaking at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro, Martin called for broader EU sanctions against the two, stating their behavior 'amounts to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine.' France, Spain, and Italy have also urged EU-level action.
The bans coincide with continued Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, including a strike that killed four senior Hamas officials, despite an ongoing US-brokered ceasefire.