Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway have imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, for allegedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The sanctions are a reaction to escalating settler violence following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks, which led to intensified military actions in Gaza. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, prominent in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, advocate for continued settlement expansion and the displacement of Palestinians.
The foreign ministers of the five countries condemned the ministers for promoting extremist rhetoric that undermines human rights and peace prospects. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasized that these sanctions target individuals contributing to settler violence, not Israel as a state. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, echoed these sentiments, clarifying that their actions were not directed against the Israeli people or the broader government.
In response to the sanctions, Smotrich, who was inaugurating a new settlement, affirmed his commitment to building, while Ben-Gvir dismissed the sanctions as minor. The U.S. government, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, condemned the sanctions and reiterated support for Israel.
The Israeli government criticized the sanctions, calling them “outrageous,” and raised concerns that such actions could embolden Hamas. Netanyahu, facing international scrutiny over alleged war crimes, has denied bias against Israel. Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Eitay Mack hailed the sanctions as a historic move, signaling a potential shift in accountability for Israeli officials. The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which the international community largely views as illegal and a significant barrier to a two-state solution.
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