Ireland imposes travel ban on Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich
Irish Taoiseach Martin said the two Israeli ministers had displayed 'a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine'. Dublin draws a symbolic sanctions line within Europe. Similar steps are being debated among EU members.
Al Jazeera StaffAl Jazeera reports that the Irish government has decided to impose a travel ban on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, explaining the rationale, said the two ministers had displayed 'a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine'. Dublin becomes the first EU capital to take such a step.
Israel's foreign ministry called the move 'extremely unfriendly' and summoned Ireland's ambassador for an information meeting. Tel Aviv said it expected allied governments to take a position against Dublin's decision. The Palestinian Authority described the move in a statement as 'an important step'.
Debate over similar measures is continuing in EU capitals; Belgium, Spain and Slovenia are weighing whether to bring the issue onto the Council agenda. The Netherlands and Luxembourg have asked for additional review of the legal framework. Al Jazeera notes that the decision could have longer-term effects on the EU-Israel diplomatic balance.
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