DUBLIN (VINnews) – Ireland has barred National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, Irish officials announced Friday.

Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he was informed by the Justice Ministry that the two Israeli cabinet ministers are prohibited from travel to Ireland.

“Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, it is my understanding, has instructed his officials to prohibit any travel into Ireland for both Minister Ben-Gvir and Minister Smotrich,” Martin told reporters.

A spokesperson for O’Callaghan confirmed the statements. Martin described the ministers’ behavior as reflecting “a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine.”

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

The ban comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and several European nations critical of Israeli policies in the ongoing conflict with Palestinian terror groups.

No immediate response from the Israeli government or the ministers was reported.