Latest news with #BenGvir
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Netherlands imposes entry ban on Israel's far-right ministers Smotrich, Ben Gvir over Gaza
Jerusalem: As part of measures to place pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Netherlands has banned far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from entering the country, as per reports. In a letter to Netherlands lawmakers, the Netherlands' Foreign Minister Caspar Valdekamp said the decision that has been taken against Smotrich and Ben Gvir "is because they have repeatedly incited violence by settlers against the Palestinian population and… called for ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip", The Times of Israel reported, citing local newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. Reacting to the decision, Ben Gvir, in a post on X, said: "Even if I'm banned from all of Europe, I'll keep working for our country and demanding that we topple Hamas and back our fighters. Our enemies are violent, murderous rapists. But in Europe… the one who goes on the offensive is guilty. In a place where terrorism is tolerated and terrorists are welcome, a Jewish minister from Israel is unwelcome. Terrorists are free and Jews are boycotted." The decision to ban Ben Gvir and Smotrich from entering the Netherlands comes a day after the Netherlands' Prime Minister Dick Schoof said that his government was 'considering taking national measures' against Israel, apart from supporting a European Union proposal to partially suspend funding for Israeli researchers. Last week, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that the military will carry out a "local tactical pause of military activity" in densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip, starting from 10 a.m. (local time) to 8 p.m. (local time). The military said that the "pause" will be implemented "every day until further notice" in areas where the IDF is not currently carrying out operations with ground troops, including Deir al-Balah, al-Mawasi and Gaza City. According to the military, the decision has been taken "in accordance with directives from the political echelon, and as part of the IDF's ongoing effort, led by COGAT, to increase the scope of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip". The Israeli military said that the decision was coordinated with the UN and international organisations following discussions regarding the matter. In addition, the IDF said "secure routes" will be designated from 6 a.m. (local time) to 11 p.m. (local time) to enable the safe passage of United Nations and humanitarian aid organisation convoys delivering and distributing food and medicine among the people in the Gaza Strip.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
This prominent European country bans entry of 2 hardline Israeli ministers over Gaza starvation, country is…, ministers are…
Home News 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. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest World News on
Gulf Insider
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Israeli Leaders Call For Syrian President's Assassination
Hardline and outspoken Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for Israel to 'eliminate' Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following the latest escalation in sectarian violence this week. 'The shocking images from Syria prove one thing: once a jihadist, always a jihadist,' Ben Gvir said in a video statement on Wednesday. 'Anyone who murders, shaves mustaches, humiliates, and rapes cannot be negotiated with, and the only thing that can be done is to eliminate al-Julani,' he added, referring to the Syrian leader's previous nom de guerre, Mohammad al-Jolani. 'I love the Druze citizens in the State of Israel, and I embrace them warmly, and I tell them: we must cut off the head of the snake,' Ben Gvir added, essentially calling for Sharaa's assassination. Israel has been using the plight of the persecuted Druze minority in southern Syria as a pretext for expanding its military presence far beyond the occupied Golan Heights. Critics have accused Israeli leaders of 'divide-and-conquer' tactics, and have even allowed thousands of Druze who lived under occupied areas (in Israel) to breach the Golan border fence and flood back into Syria. The Syrian regime of Sharaa and his fanatical Sunni fighters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have stood accused of conducting entho-religious genocide, targeting Druze, Christians, and Alawites. This has been happening especially in the south this week. Israel on Wednesday for the first time ever targeted the sprawling Syrian Defense Ministry building with airstrikes, destroying it. This is not something that had been done throughout the entirety of the Assad family's rule. Meanwhile, Israel's Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli has joined Ben Gvir in calling for the overthrow of Sharaa. Chikli has called for his assassination, branding him a 'terrorist' and a 'brutal murderer.' Chikli defended the stepped up Israeli attacks on Damascus, drawing comparisons between Sharaa's government and Palestinian militant groups. 'If it looks like Hamas, talks like Hamas, and acts like Hamas—then it is Hamas,' he stated. Rather than the likes of Ben Gvir suddenly becoming concerned over human rights, something else is definitely going on here… But curiously, these Israeli officials were silent when throughout the Syrian proxy war which targeted Assad, the Netanyahu government was openly helping hardline jihadists, including hosting wounded FSA and Nusrah Front (AQ) fighters in Israeli hospitals.
L'Orient-Le Jour
17-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Slovenia bars 2 far-right Israeli ministers
Slovenia announced on Thursday that it would ban two far-right Israeli ministers from entering in what authorities said was a first in the European Union. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be declared "personae non gratae," the Slovenian government said in a statement, accusing them of inciting "extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians" with "their genocidal statements." In June, Australia, Canada, Britain, New Zealand and Norway imposed similar sanctions on Smotrich and Ben Gvir, key coalition partners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Ben Gvir and Smotrich have drawn international criticism for their hard-line stance on the Gaza war and comments about settlements in the occupied West Bank, the other Palestinian territory. Smotrich, who resides in a West Bank settlement, has advocated for the expansion of settlements and has called for the territory's annexation. "This is the first measure of this nature in the EU," Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said of the ban. On May 21, President Natasa Pirc Musar, in an address to the European parliament, urged the EU to take stronger action, condemning "the genocide" in Gaza. Slovenia was in May among six European countries to say that they "firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza" after Israel announced plans to expand its military offensive in the Palestinian territory. Last year, Slovenia announced it was recognising a Palestinian state after Ireland, Norway and Spain, in moves partly fueled by condemnation of Israel's bombing of Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Nearly 150 countries recognise a Palestinian state.
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Slovenia bars two far-right Israeli ministers over 'genocidal statements' - Region
Slovenia announced on Thursday that it would ban two far-right Israeli ministers from entering the country, citing their "genocidal statements" as the reason for the unprecedented move in the European Union. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be declared persona non grata, the Slovenian government said in a statement, warning that their rhetoric has incited "extreme violence and serious violations of the human rights of Palestinians." "This is the first measure of this nature in the EU," Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said of the ban. The far-right ministers, key allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, have faced widespread international condemnation for their "genocidal statements" on Israel's war in Gaza, as well as their inflammatory rhetoric concerning the occupation and expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. Smotrich, a prominent figure in Israel's ultra-nationalist government, in May declared that Gaza "will be entirely destroyed" and that its civilian population would "start to leave in great numbers to third countries"—remarks widely decried as advocating ethnic cleansing. Smotrich, who resides in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, has long championed the expansion of settlements in defiance of international law and called for the full annexation of Palestinian territory. Ben Gvir, known for his extremism, has repeatedly provoked outrage with statements challenging Jerusalem's religious status quo. Last year, he proposed building a Jewish synagogue within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound—widely seen as an attack on Muslim sovereignty over one of Islam's holiest sites. In June, Australia, Canada, Britain, New Zealand, and Norway imposed sanctions on Smotrich and Ben Gvir in response to their extreme views and actions. On May 21, President Nataša Pirc Musar in an address to the European parliament urged the EU to take stronger action, condemning "the genocide" in Gaza. Slovenia was in May among six European countries to say that they "firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza" after Israel announced plans to intensify its genocidal assault on the Palestinian territory. Last year, Slovenia also formally recognized a Palestinian state, following in the footsteps of Ireland, Norway, and Spain—actions driven by a strong condemnation of Israel's brutal war and suffocating blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces have now killed over 58,000 Palestinians in the besieged enclave. Nearly 150 countries recognize a Palestinian state. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
