Netherlands sanctions far-right Israeli ministers over ‘calls for ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza

Responding to the announcement, Ben-Gvir 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.... a Jewish minister from Israel is unwelcome. Terrorists are free and Jews are boycotted."

Likewise, Smotrich wrote on X: "What they don’t understand in the Netherlands and other European countries is that far more than it matters to me to enter the Netherlands, it matters to me that my children... and those of all the Jews in the world, can live in the State of Israel in security for decades and centuries to come.

"I dedicate my life to the future and security of Israel and will continue to do so to the best of my judgment, even if it means standing firm against the entire world."

The move was also condemned by prominent Dutch opposition leader Geert Wilders, of the far-right PVV faction.

He wrote: “VVD, BBB, and NSC [PVV’s rival right-wing parties] are spitting in the face of the Jewish victims of the October 7, 2023 massacre with this expression of support for the beasts of Hamas if they back the government.

"Sanctions and hatred against Israel do not benefit the people in Gaza but are exactly what Hamas wants.”

The announcement follows a similar move by the UK, which saw the two men hit with travel bans and asset freezes over what the Foreign Office called their "incitement" of violence by settlers in the West Bank.

Confirming the measures in June, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution and will continue to work with our partners towards its implementation. It is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.

“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.

“We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid and a path to a two-state solution.”