The governments of Australia, the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, and Norway have jointly imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers due to their extremist rhetoric and actions related to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, indicating a shift towards stricter accountability measures against Israel.
Western Nations Sanction Hard-Line Israeli Ministers Amid Gaza Crisis
Western Nations Sanction Hard-Line Israeli Ministers Amid Gaza Crisis
A coordinated effort by several Western countries targets Israeli officials accused of inciting violence, reflecting growing international pressure on Israel.
In a significant diplomatic move, five Western nations have announced sanctions against two far-right members of the Israeli government—security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich—amid escalating violence and humanitarian crises stemming from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Australia, the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, and Norway coordinated the sanctions, which will restrict travel rights and freeze the financial assets of the targeted ministers.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are key figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet and have been openly criticized for their extreme views, which have included calls for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described such rhetoric as “monstrous,” highlighting the urgency of holding leaders accountable for inciting violence against Palestinians. In a joint statement from the five countries, they emphasized the necessity of taking strong actions against those violating human rights and inciting hate.
The timing of the sanctions is particularly notable, as it coincides with increasing humanitarian concerns in Gaza, where the conditions have reportedly degraded significantly. According to British officials, these sanctions also intend to put pressure on the Netanyahu administration to pursue a cease-fire with Hamas amidst the ongoing violence.
In response to this joint action, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the sanctions, labeling them as “unacceptable.” He further stated that the Israeli government would convene to discuss how to address the measures imposed against its officials, condemning the targeting of elected representatives.
The decision to sanction Ben-Gvir and Smotrich was reached after weeks of deliberation and follows previous statements from Canada, Britain, and France regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. However, France opted not to participate in the sanctions against the two Israeli ministers, reflecting ongoing divergences in approaches among Western allies regarding Israel's conduct.
The joint statement from the five nations included calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas, a significant increase in humanitarian aid, and reaffirmation of the necessity for a two-state solution. Lammy, during a recent parliamentary session, articulated strong criticism of Israel's actions in the conflict, announcing that the U.K. would suspend ongoing trade negotiations unless the situation improved.
As the situation continues to evolve, the complexity of international relations with Israel remains apparent, with varied approaches reflecting both shared concerns and differences in strategy among Western nations.
