Ireland imposes travel ban on 2 Israeli ministers

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin confirmed on Friday that Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has imposed travel bans on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, reported Xinhua. According to Irish media reports, Martin made the remarks at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, where he criticized the actions and statements of the two Israeli ministers, saying they "amount to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine." Martin also said he believed further measures should be taken against them at the European Union level. "In my view, their behavior justifies sanctions at EU level as well," he said, adding that Ireland would raise the matter with its European partners. In a statement, a spokesperson for O'Callaghan said the travel bans were agreed by the government earlier this week and did not require cabinet approval. The spokesperson said immigration officers had been instructed to refuse entry to Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, should they seek to enter Ireland. The statement described the two ministers as members of the Israeli government who had been instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza. France banned Ben-Gvir from entering the country last month, according to media reports. Martin and Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee also condemned a video shared by Ben-Gvir in May that was alleged to have mocked activists, reports said.