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The Netherlands has officially barred two senior Israeli ministers—Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir—from entering the country, citing concerns over their far-right political positions and inflammatory rhetoric amid the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.
The decision, confirmed by Dutch Foreign Ministry officials on Monday, marks a rare diplomatic move by a European Union member state to restrict entry of sitting ministers from an allied nation. Smotrich currently serves as Israel’s Minister of Finance, while Ben-Gvir is the Minister of National Security.
According to Dutch officials, the ban was imposed due to the ministers’ recent statements that were deemed inciteful and inconsistent with the Netherlands’ commitment to international law and human rights. The move also aligns with calls from Dutch Parliament members urging the government to take a firmer stance on Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have both drawn international condemnation for supporting Israeli settlement expansion and for remarks perceived as advocating collective punishment of Palestinians. Their presence in European forums has increasingly sparked protest and political friction.
The Dutch government emphasized that the entry ban does not apply to other members of the Israeli government and that diplomatic dialogue with Israel remains open. However, the move reflects growing tensions between European countries and the current Israeli leadership over the handling of the conflict in Gaza.
Israeli officials have yet to formally respond to the decision. Analysts view the travel ban as part of a broader shift in European attitudes, particularly as civilian casualties mount in Gaza and international pressure for a ceasefire intensifies.
