The Netherlands has barred far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country, declaring them persona non grata over statements inciting violence and advocating ethnic cleansing in Gaza. The ban reflects mounting European frustration with Israel’s conduct amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The Dutch government announced on Monday that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir are officially prohibited from entering the Netherlands and will be registered as undesirable aliens in the Schengen system. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp cited the ministers’ repeated incitement of settler violence against Palestinians, their vocal support for expanding illegal Israeli settlements, and explicit calls for ethnic cleansing in Gaza as grounds for the decision.
Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are key partners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition and have championed hardline stances throughout Israel’s war in Gaza. Their rhetoric including support for blocking humanitarian aid and encouraging the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians from Gaza has drawn widespread international condemnation, with several Western countries including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway imposing similar entry bans or sanctions in June.
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Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Foreign Minister Veldkamp made clear that the ban is part of broader efforts to pressure Israel into improving humanitarian access in Gaza, where a severe famine threatens the lives of millions, particularly children. “The people of Gaza must be given immediate, unfettered, safe access to humanitarian aid,” Schoof emphasized after speaking with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
In response to the travel bans, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir remained defiant. Smotrich accused European leaders of “succumbing to the lies of radical Islam,” while Ben-Gvir insisted he would continue his ministerial duties regardless of his status in Europe. Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the Dutch move “hostile and hypocritical,” and promptly summoned the Dutch ambassador for a formal protest.
The Netherlands, now the second EU country after Slovenia to bar the two Israeli ministers, has also signaled its readiness to support suspending Israel’s privileges in major EU science and research programs if humanitarian access in Gaza does not improve. The Dutch government is exploring further national and European measures to address what it describes as the “unbearable and indefensible” situation in Gaza.
The diplomatic standoff highlights growing European impatience with Israel’s war policies, especially as reports of widespread starvation and continuous strikes emerge from Gaza. As pressure mounts internationally, the Netherlands’ actions mark a significant shift in European engagement, setting a precedent for further sanctions on members of the Israeli government over controversial statements and policies targeting Palestinians.
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