The United Kingdom and Canada, along with other Western allies, have imposed sanctions on two hardline Israeli government ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The sanctions, which include a travel ban and asset freeze, were announced by the UK Foreign Office on Tuesday.
According to a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the participating countries, Ben Gvir and Smotrich have repeatedly incited violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The ministers’ extremist rhetoric, advocating for the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements, has been deemed “appalling and dangerous”.
The sanctions are part of a broader effort to address extremist settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank, which the allies believe imperils the two-state solution. The joint statement emphasized the importance of guaranteeing security and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians, and ensuring long-term stability in the region.
Ben Gvir and Smotrich, both leaders of far-right political parties, have faced criticism for their inflammatory comments about the occupied West Bank and their positions on the war in Gaza. The two ministers play a crucial role in keeping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile government coalition afloat.
In response to the sanctions, Ben Gvir said that the move did not scare him, and he would continue to act in the best interests of Israel. Smotrich, on the other hand, claimed that the sanctions were imposed because he was thwarting the establishment of a Palestinian state, and vowed to continue building settlements.
The sanctions are being jointly implemented by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway. The Western allies have expressed concern about the situation in Gaza, where civilians are suffering and essential aid is being denied. The allies have called on the Israeli government to take steps to address the humanitarian crisis and promote stability in the region.
