The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway have imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli government ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, for “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities” in the West Bank. The sanctions include a travel ban and asset freeze in the UK. Both ministers lead far-right political parties that support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile government coalition.
The joint statement by the countries’ foreign ministers emphasized their commitment to the two-state solution, which is “imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.” They condemned Ben Gvir and Smotrich for inciting extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights, stating that “extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous”.
The ministers also expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that the situation in the West Bank cannot be seen in isolation from the “catastrophe in Gaza”.
Ben Gvir, the leader of the Jewish Power party, responded to the sanctions, saying, “The sanctions do not scare me. I will continue to act for our country, for our people, I will continue to act and make sure that they do not let humanitarian aid into Hamas.”
Smotrich, who leads the National Religious Party–Religious Zionism, stated that he “heard that Britain has decided to impose sanctions on me because I’m thwarting the establishment of a Palestinian state.” He added, “Britain already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we will not let it happen again. With God’s help, we are determined to continue building”.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denounced the move as “outrageous,” saying, “We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our Ministers on the British Sanctions list. It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.” Saar discussed the move with Prime Minister Netanyahu and plans to hold a special government meeting to decide on the Israeli response.
The sanctions highlight the hardening stance toward Israel in the West over its conduct of the war in Gaza. David Lammy, Britain’s foreign secretary, recently denounced Israel’s conduct of the war, stating that Britain would suspend talks on a trade agreement and criticizing comments by Smotrich about “cleansing” Gaza and moving its two million people to other countries. “We must call this what it is,” Lammy said. “It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous”.