Netherlands bans Israeli ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir over incitement claims

The Dutch government has declared two of Israel’s far-right ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, “persona non grata” and banned them from entering the country. The reason cited was that these two individuals incited settler violence in the West Bank and called for ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stated in a letter to parliament that the rhetoric of both ministers violates international law. Veldkamp also stated in a post on the social media platform X, “The war in Gaza must end immediately. Israel must take more steps to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid.” The minister emphasized respect for human rights by referencing Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and warned that measures would be taken otherwise.

The Netherlands’ decision was announced one day after Prime Minister Dick Schoof declared that national-level sanctions could be imposed against Israel. Schoof had also supported the EU’s proposal to restrict funding for Israeli researchers.

Even if I am banned from all of Europe, Ben-Gvir emphasizes

The two Israeli ministers reacted to the Netherlands’ decision. Ben-Gvir said in a post on his X account, “Even if I am banned from all of Europe, I will continue to work for our country and demand that we overthrow Hamas and support our fighters.” Playing the “antisemitism card,” Ben-Gvir claimed, “In a place where terrorism is tolerated and terrorists are welcomed, a Jewish minister from Israel is not welcome. While terrorists are free, Jews are boycotted.”

It doesn’t matter whether I enter the Netherlands or not, Smotrich says

Smotrich also accused the Dutch government of “surrendering to the lies of radical Islam.” In a statement on his X account, he said, “What they don’t understand in the Netherlands and other European countries is that it is much more important for me that my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and all the Jews in the world, can live in safety in the State of Israel for decades and centuries to come than whether I enter the Netherlands.”

Smotrich claimed, “Jews were not safe in the Netherlands and Europe in general at the beginning of the last century. Looking at Europe’s hypocrisy, the surrender of its leaders to the lies of increasingly widespread radical Islam, and rising antisemitism, Jews will not be able to live there safely in the future either.”

Another harsh step from the Netherlands

Last week, the Netherlands also included Israel for the first time in its list of “foreign countries that pose a threat.” A report published by the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism alleged that Israel is trying to manipulate Dutch public opinion and political decision-making processes.