In line with the Taoiseach’s recent statement that Ireland will act to prevent those members of the Government of Israel who have been instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza from entering our country, I instructed Immigration officers to refuse entry to Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister for National Security of Israel, and Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance of Israel, should they seek to enter the State.
This measure is a statement of policy rather than a response to an imminent visit and ensures that if either minister seeks entry in the future, they will be refused. This measure aligns Ireland with other countries, including Slovenia, France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the UK who have also imposed similar measures. Proposals to impose sanctions on the EU level are currently under discussion among Member States. The EU has previously adopted sanctions against extremist settlers and leading Hamas figures.
It is not without precedent for the State to take action to prevent particular individuals from entering this jurisdiction. Ireland implements UN and EU Sanctions, under which a large number of individuals are subject to travel bans under a range of sanctions regimes. A consolidated list of those subject to travel bans under EU sanctions regimes is maintained and updated at EU level, and is incorporated into border management and visa procedures nationally.
A list of EU sanctions, including travel bans, is available at: www.sanctionsmap.eu/#/main
UN Security Council consolidated list is available at: main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list
