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An told an Israeli ultranationalist politician on Thursday that he is unwelcome, drawing outcry from Israeli opposition politicians.

is leader of theÌýsmall, far-right Religious Zionist PartyÌýin the Knesset that is currently in the opposition. He has a long record of anti-PalestinianÌýand homophobic remarks, and until last year served as a government minister.

Smotrich said in October that , the founder ofÌýIsrael,Ìýshould have "finished the job" of expelling PalestiniansÌýfrom their homeland.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, a prominent organisation that represents the UK's Jewish community and is pro-Israel, tweeted in Hebrew on ThursdayÌýthat Smotrich, who is visiting the country, is "not wanted here".

"We reject the horrible opinions and hateful ideology of Bezalel Smotrich and call on all members of the British Jewish community to show him the door," the group said. "Get back on the plane, Bezalel, and be remembered as a disgrace to the world. You are not wanted here."

Smotrich, who is also a leading figure in the illegal West BankÌýsettler movement, dismissed the criticism. In a Twitter post, he called the British groupÌýa "relic of an old and crumbling establishment"Ìýand said he had received dozens of supportive phone calls and apologies from Jewish figures in the UKÌýwho wanted to meet him.

Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party said the Board of Deputies’ comment was a "shame",Ìýand that by turning away Smotrich they are dismissing a large chunk of Israeli society.

But Israeli Foreign Minister , who heads the centrist Yesh Atid party, said the uproar over Smotrich wasn't surprising.

"If we will let racist voices, racist parties and racist Knesset members to enter Israeli politics, this will harm us abroad, especially with world Jewry,"Ìýhe told a news conference.