Entry ban for two Israeli ministers is mainly symbolic
In the media image: mk. s. on Unsplash
The Dutch caretaker government has imposed an entry ban on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. Wim Voermans, Professor of Constitutional Law, says in ‘de Volkskrant’ newspaper that 'the government wants to send an important symbolic signal.’
The reasons for this step are the continuing violations by Israel of international humanitarian law and the fact that a ceasefire has failed to materialise. However, measures in response to the situation remain limited. Although it can be difficult to implement an entry ban in practice, Voermans does not believe there is a serious possibility of it actually coming to that: 'Someone who has been declared persona non grata and still tries to enter a country is pushing things to the extreme.'
The entry ban is mainly a political signal since the export of arms remains possible under certain conditions and existing contracts are not yet being revised. The Netherlands is committed to measures at the European level so that tougher sanctions against Israel can be considered.
More information?
Read the full article in de Volkskrant (€, in Dutch)