Netherlands bans “Israeli” far-right ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich from entering country

The Netherlands banned two “Israeli” far-right ministers from entering the country, and summoned the “Israeli” ambassador to denounce the “unbearable and indefensible” situation in the Gaza Strip.

"They repeatedly incited settler violence against Palestinians, promoted illegal settlement expansion, and called for ethnic cleansing in Gaza," Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament in a letter released late Monday.

In June, the Netherlands backed a Swedish proposal to impose EU sanctions on the far-right “Israeli” ministers, but the initiative failed to gain unanimous support in the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

Smotrich said in a post on X that European leaders had surrendered to "the lies of radical Islam that is taking over" and the "rising antisemitism".

Ben-Gvir said he would continue to act for “Israel”, even if they ban him from entering "all of Europe".

"In a place where terrorism is tolerated and terrorists are welcomed, a Jewish minister from Israel is unwanted, terrorists are free, and Jews are boycotted," he wrote.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also said earlier his government is supporting a European Union proposal to partially suspend funding for “Israeli” researchers.