Ireland bans two far-right Israeli ministers over Gaza Flotilla treatment
Ireland has banned two Israeli far-right ministers over their behavior with the activists abducted from Gaza Flotilla and remarks indicating “desire to eliminate Palestinians from Palestine.”
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The ban targets Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering its territory, according to an official statement by Irish Justice Ministry.
It said Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan had instructed immigration authorities to deny entry to the two ministers if they attempt to enter the country.
Prime Minister Micheál Martin told a European Union conference that the actions and statements of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich indicate “a desire to eliminate Palestinians,” calling for further measures against them by the bloc.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Minister Helen McEntee said she was “shocked” by footage shared by Ben-Gvir showing activists being detained at Ashdod port, including Irish citizens.
The decision comes as the European Union considers possible restrictive measures against Israeli officials over mistreatment of foreign activists aboard the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla which was seized by Israeli regime in May.
Under the draft, EU member state ambassadors are expected to discuss proposals to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers over statements and actions described as incitement and violations of human rights.
Meanwhile, French anti-terrorism prosecutors say they have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected “torture” and “war crimes” over Israel’s mistreatment of French activists who took part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last month.
The probe was opened on Friday following a referral from the foreign ministry late last month, said the national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office (PNAT), after activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla accused Israeli authorities of severe mistreatment during their detention.
Israel abducted and detained some 430 activists from about 40 countries after intercepting them in international waters on May 18 as they made the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade on Gaza, which the United Nations and human rights organizations say is illegal, describing it as a form of collective punishment.
Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attracted widespread condemnation in different countries among them the US, UK, Italy and Canada after he posted a video of mocking the flotilla activists while they were bound and forced to kneel down on earth.
France banned Ben-Gvir entry and, like several other allies of Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador over the incident.
