Ireland bars Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich from entering the country

Taoiseach also says stronger EU-Canada ties and enlargement will be priorities during Ireland’s EU presidency

Israeli far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir. Picture: AP Photo/Oren Ziv, File

Far-right Israeli cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have been barred from travelling to Ireland, as the Taoiseach said their behaviour “justifies sanctions at EU level”.

Micheál Martin confirmed the ban on Friday while attending the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro.

Mr Martin said justice minister Jim O’Callaghan had instructed officials to prohibit the entry of the two Israeli ministers into Ireland.

“In my view, their behaviour justifies sanctions at EU level as well, and that’s something that we will raise. Now, whether we can get sufficient support across the European Union is a different matter,” he said.

He said their behaviour, not just in the context of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, but also their consistent statements regarding Palestinians, amounted to a “desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine”.

“That’s something that the international community need to take on board and we will be pursuing that,” he added.

A spokesperson for Mr O'Callaghan said: "In line with the Taoiseach’s recent statement that Ireland will act to prevent those members of the Government of Israel who have been instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza from entering our country, Minister Jim O’Callaghan has instructed Immigration officers to refuse entry to Itamar Ben-Gvir - Minister for National Security of Israel, and Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance of Israel should they seek to enter the state."

Europe will grow closer to Canada over the coming years to maintain multilateralism, as the EU needs more “middle powers”, the Taoiseach also said.

Mr Martin met EU and Western Balkans leaders at the summit in Tivat.

As Ireland prepares to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, one of its priorities will be to build on momentum in support of the union’s enlargement.

Expansion of EU to 40 states

On Thursday, the President of Finland said the EU should expand to 40 states to project power on the global stage and suggested Canada should join the union. This comes as the actions of the US administration and Russia’s war in Ukraine have prompted several countries to reconsider the benefits of EU membership.

Asked whether he would like to see Canada join the union, Mr Martin said he had not seen the comments, but noted that relationships were growing through the framework of the European Political Community.

“There will be a lot of discussions around how we broaden that sort of European approach outside of the European Union,” Mr Martin told the Irish Examiner.

Next week, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney is due to visit Ireland.

“We see stronger relationships with Canada, the precise form and framework that relationship will take between the EU and Canada is obviously some distance away and has to be worked out.

“But there is a strong consensus growing that we do need middle powers more generally to work together to maintain multilateralism, develop strong trading agreements and technology agreements to make sure multilateralism is continually affirm by the vast majority of countries in the world.” 

Mr Martin emphasised that enlargement would be one of Ireland’s key priorities during its upcoming EU presidency, particularly the progression of Montenegro’s accession process.

“We want to give a very strong commitment that we will work very hard with the government of Montenegro with the Commission and with other member states to finalise the negotiations in terms of the various chapters that remain to be concluded,” he said.

Despite the “very challenging timeline”, Mr Martin said the negotiation process could be completed by the end of the year for Montenegro.

“I think that will give a very tangible sign to the people of the region that enlargement is here, that it will happen,” he said.