This prominent European country bans entry of 2 hardline Israeli ministers over Gaza starvation, country is…, ministers are…
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This prominent European country bans entry of 2 hardline Israeli ministers over Gaza starvation, country is…, ministers are…
This prominent European country bans entry of 2 hardline Israeli ministers over Gaza starvation, country is…, ministers are…
So far, 7 countries have imposed sanctions on these two ministers.
(Image: Palestinian boy Mosab al-Debs, 14, who is malnourished according to medics, lies on a bed at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. [Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters])
New Delhi: The Netherlands has banned Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country. They are accused of promoting violence in Gaza. Before the Netherlands, 6 countries have banned these two leaders from entering their country.
What did The Netherlands say?
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on Monday, 28 July that this decision has been taken because these ministers have repeatedly promoted violence against Palestinians, advocated the expansion of illegal Jewish settlements and talked about ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
Veldkamp also said that the Israeli ambassador to the Netherlands will be summoned and appealed to ask the Netanyahu government to change its attitude. Describing the current situation as bad, he said that the Netherlands is also ready to increase pressure on Hamas for a ceasefire.
What is the response of Ben Gvir?
Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir expressed displeasure over this decision of the Netherlands. He said on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, that even if he is barred from entering the whole of Europe, he will continue to work for Israel. He demanded to eliminate Hamas and support Israeli soldiers. He accused Europe that the victims are always blamed there.
Ben-Gvir said that Europe is a place where terrorism is tolerated and terrorists are welcomed. Terrorists are roaming freely there and Jews are being boycotted. Ben-Gvir has previously been convicted of inciting racism in Israel and supporting a terrorist organization. However, now he is Israel's National Security Minister and Smotrich is the Finance Minister.
How many countries have banned Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir?
It is worth noting that the Netherlands is not the only country to ban the entry of Israeli ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich. Earlier on June 9, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and Britain also banned them together. However, the US expressed displeasure over this and called it unnecessary.
These five countries had said in a joint statement that these ministers have incited violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Therefore, their property will be confiscated and they will be banned from traveling to these countries.
After this, on July 17, Slovenia banned both these ministers. That is, so far 7 countries have imposed sanctions on Ben Gvir and Smotrich.
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