Israel has summoned the Dutch ambassador in Tel Aviv in protest at the Netherlands’ decision to impose entry bans on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

The move, announced Monday by foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp, has drawn fierce political reactions in both countries.

The Netherlands had earlier summoned the Israeli ambassador to press for increased humanitarian access to Gaza. In response, Israel called in the Dutch envoy on Tuesday, with foreign minister Gideon Saar’s office telling The Times of Israel the Dutch measures undermined Israel’s right to self-defence.

Veldkamp said the entry bans were a response to the “intolerable and indefensible” situation in Gaza. Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, and Smotrich, who holds the finance portfolio, have long made inflammatory statements and openly support the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Both men live in settlements deemed illegal under international law.

The NRC said in an analysis of the latest Dutch moves that Monday’s decision marks the first time Israeli officials have publicly expressed irritation with Dutch measures.

The Netherlands is among the first EU countries to ban ministers —so far, only Slovenia has done the same. Outside the EU, countries including Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway added the two ministers to their sanctions lists last month. Although neither Ben-Gvir nor Smotrich was expected to travel to the Netherlands, banning government ministers from allied nations is highly unusual.

Veldkamp is also pushing for coordinated EU-level action. On Tuesday, EU ambassadors reviewed a second report on Israel’s compliance with earlier commitments to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The first review found major shortcomings.

If the new report shows similar failings, the Netherlands will support “significant steps” at EU level, including suspending Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe research programme and freezing trade privileges under the EU-Israel Association Agreement—steps that would amount to serious economic sanctions.

The cabinet’s measures have also triggered sharp debate in The Hague. PVV leader Geert Wilders called the move “a show of support for the beasts of Hamas” and said it was “exactly what Hamas wants”.

GroenLinks-PvdA MP Kati Piri said the response was long overdue and still too weak. “It is shameful the cabinet waited this long,” she said, accusing Israel of “starving, destroying, and displacing Palestinians in Gaza”. She called for a full arms embargo, an end to trade with settlements, and recognition of Palestine.