“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,” declared Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in a defiant social media post, after the Netherlands announced it would bar him and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country.
The Dutch government made the decision in response to what it called “repeated incitement to violence” against Palestinians and support for “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza by the two ministers.
Monday’s decision came as part of a raft of measures to pressure Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In recent months, multiple Western countries—including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Slovenia—have imposed sanctions on Ben Gvir and Smotrich.
Ben Gvir lashed out at the Dutch and their allies, accusing them of hypocrisy and antisemitism.
“In a place where terrorism is tolerated and terrorists are welcome, a Jewish minister from Israel is unwelcome. Terrorists are free and Jews are boycotted,” he wrote. Smotrich similarly condemned the move, accusing Europe of siding with radical Islam.
In a post on his X account, Dutch right-wing leader Geert Wilders expressed his solidarity with Israel, tweeting:
Never compromise with evil. Destroy Hamas completely and ignore the useful idiots of the EU. Hamas is responsible for the famine and hell in Gaza, and no one else. If they want peace, they should surrender and free the hostages. Stay strong, Israel, millions of us support you!
