Ireland bans two senior Israeli ministers from entry

Ireland has barred two senior Israeli government ministers from entering the country, citing their conduct and policy positions. The Irish Justice Ministry announced on Friday that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are prohibited from traveling to Ireland.

Prime Minister Micheál Martin, speaking at a summit in Montenegro, said the ministers' actions and statements amount to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine. He specifically referenced Ben-Gvir's conduct toward activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last month. Video shared by the minister showed him mocking detained activists who were kneeling, blindfolded, and bound.

A statement from the Justice Ministry confirmed that Minister Jim O'Callaghan had instructed immigration officers to refuse entry to both officials should they seek to enter the state. Martin further stated that, in his view, their behavior justifies sanctions at the European Union level as well, adding that Ireland would raise the issue, though securing sufficient support across the bloc remained uncertain.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are prominent figures in Israel's right-wing coalition...