On Tuesday, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway announced the imposition of sanctions against two far-right Israeli government ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The sanctions stem from allegations that these ministers have been inciting extremist violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This decision marks a significant rebuke of Israel’s settlement policies in the West Bank and the recent increase in settler violence that has escalated since Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister, and Smotrich, the Finance Minister, are influential figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government. Both are known for their strong support of Israeli settlements and have openly advocated for the continuation of military operations in Gaza, promoting what they describe as the "voluntary emigration of the Palestinian population" and the expansion of Jewish settlements. As a result of the sanctions, they may face asset freezes and travel bans.
The five countries' foreign ministers issued a joint statement condemning the actions of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, stating that their rhetoric has incited extremist violence and serious human rights abuses against Palestinians. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that these two have been encouraging violence against Palestinians for an extended period. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand clarified that the sanctions specifically target individuals involved in inciting violence and are not intended as a punishment against the State of Israel itself.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, expressed concern that actions taken by Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have significantly undermined peace prospects, asserting that their conduct has incited violence and forced displacement of Palestinians. Peters further highlighted that their actions should not be misconstrued as a condemnation of the Israeli people, who have also suffered due to ongoing hostilities from Hamas.
In response to the sanctions, Smotrich remarked on social media that he became aware of the sanctions while inaugurating a new settlement in the West Bank, expressing determination to continue construction. Ben-Gvir similarly responded on social media, referencing historical conquests as a metaphor for overcoming the sanctions imposed by the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
The Israeli government has condemned the sanctions, calling them “outrageous.” Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, indicated that he would meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss their response. Saar argued that the sanctions could potentially harden Hamas’s position in ongoing negotiations and may undermine Israel’s operational goals in Gaza.
Benny Gantz, a centrist member of the Israeli Knesset and political opponent of Netanyahu, voiced his disagreement with Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, labeling the sanctions as a "profound moral mistake" that conveys a dangerous message to terrorists worldwide.
Notably, Netanyahu himself is facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza, part of a growing wave of international criticism of Israel’s military actions. Human rights lawyer Eitay Mack, an advocate for the sanctions against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, called the recent actions "historic," marking a pivotal moment where the immunity previously enjoyed by Israeli politicians has been challenged.
Israel’s control of the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip has persisted since the 1967 Mideast War. Palestinians seek these territories for the establishment of a future state. Over the years, various Israeli governments have backed the growth of settlements, which has surged under Netanyahu’s far-right coalition. The international community largely views these settlements as illegal and a primary hurdle to achieving a two-state solution, still regarded as the most viable resolution to the ongoing conflict.
