New Zealand has placed a travel ban on two “extremist” Israeli politicians over their comments about the war in Gaza. 

The Government has banned ultra-nationalists Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, from entering New Zealand in a joint decision with the UK, Australia, Canada and Norway. 

“New Zealand has joined Australia, Canada, the UK and Norway in placing travel bans on two extremist Israeli politicians," Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement this morning. 

The bans will prevent Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, from travelling to New Zealand. 

Peters said that New Zealand remained in favour of a two-state solution and the Israeli ministers “severely and deliberately undermined that by personally advocating for the annexation of Palestinian land and the expansion of illegal settlements, while inciting violence and forced displacement”. 

“New Zealand’s consistent and historic position has been that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are a violation of international law. Settlements and associated violence undermine the prospects for a viable two-state solution.” 

It was reported last year that Ben-Gvir called for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. 

“We must encourage emigration, encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza.” 

He also said earlier this year that “there is no need to bring in aid [to Gaza]. They have enough”. 

He had previously resigned from the Israeli government when the hostage release deal was made, only rejoining when Israel began bombing again in mid-March. 

Peters said the bans were consistent with the Government’s other approaches to incidents like this, such as banning ministers from Russia, Belarus and Myanmar. 

“The crisis in Gaza has made returning to a meaningful political process all the more urgent. New Zealand will continue to advocate for an end to the current conflict and an urgent restart of the Middle East Peace Process.” 

The Telegraph reported that Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar called the move “outrageous”. 

Sa’ar said that they would hold a special government meeting early next week “to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision”. 

Peters is in Europe for the Pacific-France Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.