Ireland joins calls to sanction Israeli far-right ministers

Ireland has backed the EU foreign policy chief's calls to sanction far-right Israeli ministers accused of spreading "hate messages" against Palestinians and disregarding international law.

"We will be supporting Josep Borrell’s recommendation for sanctions in respect of settler organisations in the West Bank who are facilitating [the] expansion of settlements, and also to Israeli ministers," Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin told reporters ahead of a meeting in Brussels.

The proposed sanctions will likely target ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who are known for promoting the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and defending violence against Palestinians.