In a significant diplomatic move, five countries—Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway—announced on Tuesday that they have imposed sanctions on two members of Israel’s far-right government. These actions target National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. These two ministers have been accused of promoting extremist violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The imposition of sanctions by these traditionally Israel-friendly nations signifies a significant dispute over Israel’s settlement practices and rising settler-induced violence in the region. These tensions have been exacerbated since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are influential figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. They are staunch supporters of expanding Israeli settlements and advocate for continuous military operations in Gaza. Their support for voluntary Palestinian emigration and the rebuilding of Jewish settlements suggests a commitment to furthering these contentious agendas.
Sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich entail possible asset freezes and travel restrictions. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the five nations condemned the ministers for inciting violence and violating Palestinian human rights. They described the rhetoric supporting the forced displacement of Palestinians as both “appalling and dangerous.”
U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy openly criticized the ministers, denouncing their actions as encouragement for egregious human rights abuses. Similarly, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand clarified that the sanctions target individuals fostering extremist violence, not the state of Israel.
Winston Peters, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, emphasized that while the action targets specific ministers, it is not a stance against the Israeli populace who have suffered through recent violence. Peters highlighted the destabilizing actions of the two ministers and their impact on prospects for peace.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have responded via social media, expressing determination to continue their settlement projects despite the sanctions. This escalation in diplomatic tensions has drawn criticism from various quarters within Israel, notably from Israel’s government and figures like Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who condemned the sanctions as “outrageous.” Saar has indicated discussions with Netanyahu to deliberate Israel’s response.
Meanwhile, some Israeli political figures and human rights advocates consider the sanctions a pivotal development, potentially signaling a shift in international perceptions and Israel’s political immunity. Legal experts like Eitay Mack commend this move as historic, urging Western governments to hold Israeli politicians accountable.
This development forms part of a broader controversy surrounding Israel’s settlement expansion, which many in the international community view as illegal. The existing settlements are seen as major hindrances to achieving a two-state solution, considered by many the only viable resolution to the longstanding conflict.