Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament that Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will be denied entry across all 29 Schengen countries from September 10, 2025, according to Israeli media.
The announcement, delivered in The Hague during a parliamentary debate on Gaza and the two-state solution, said the restriction applies to all states participating in the Schengen Agreement. Israeli outlet Ynet first reported the move, which was later echoed by regional media.
How a National Ban Becomes Schengen-Wide
Under Schengen rules, a member country can enter an “alert for refusal of entry or stay” in the Schengen Information System (SIS). Once an Article 24 alert is active, other Schengen border authorities are expected to refuse entry to the listed individual, making the impact effectively area-wide.
Part of a Broader European Shift
The Netherlands had already imposed national travel bans on the two ministers earlier in the summer, citing incitement concerns. The parliamentary step this week signals a tougher alignment with other European moves scrutinizing Israeli officials amid the war in Gaza.
The development also underscores how travel permissions are being used as diplomatic tools within Europe. Earlier this year, Israel revoked visas for a group of visiting French officials, an episode that highlighted the political stakes around access and mobility.
Across the EU, governments continue to debate when entry bans or visa measures should be used as leverage in foreign policy. Recent discussions on whether to curb visa privileges for third countries show how migration and mobility have become part of the diplomatic playbook.
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