The Netherlands has imposed an entry ban on two far-right Israeli ministers — Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir — citing their inflammatory rhetoric amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Valdekamp informed lawmakers that the decision was taken due to both ministers’ repeated incitements of violence against Palestinians and their calls for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. The move is part of broader Dutch efforts to increase pressure on Israel over its conduct in Gaza, as reported by The Times of Israel citing local newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

In response, Ben Gvir took to X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Even if I’m banned from all of Europe, I’ll keep working for our country and demanding that we topple Hamas… In a place where terrorism is tolerated… a Jewish minister from Israel is unwelcome. Terrorists are free and Jews are boycotted.”

The ban follows Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s remarks that the government is weighing further national measures against Israel, including backing an EU proposal to partially freeze funding for Israeli research programs.

Meanwhile, Israel has introduced a “local tactical pause” of military operations in parts of the Gaza Strip, the IDF announced last week. These daily pauses—from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.—are aimed at enabling humanitarian aid to enter civilian areas not currently involved in ground combat, including Deir al-Balah, al-Mawasi, and Gaza City.

The Israeli military said the move was coordinated with the UN and other humanitarian groups, with secure routes open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to allow safe passage for aid convoys delivering food and medicine.