The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities” in the West Bank. These sanctions, announced by the UK Foreign Secretary, include travel bans and asset freezes.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the ministers, holding the National Security and Finance portfolios respectively, had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”
Israel responded with condemnation, calling the measures “outrageous.” The sanctions represent a coordinated effort by the UK, Norway, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee strongly criticized the sanctions, arguing they hinder efforts to secure a ceasefire, release hostages, and end the conflict. They asserted unwavering US support for Israel.
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have faced criticism for their stance on the Gaza conflict, opposing aid access and advocating for Palestinian resettlement outside the territory. The UK Foreign Office underscored the severity of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, emphasizing that these actions undermine the prospect of a future Palestinian state.
Lammy reiterated the UK’s commitment to a Gaza ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, increased humanitarian aid, and a two-state solution. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced a cabinet meeting to formulate a response.
The Foreign Office emphasized that the escalating violence by Israeli settlers necessitates a strong international response and that Israel must adhere to International Humanitarian Law in Gaza. Smotrich and Ben-Gvir lead ultra-nationalist parties crucial to the Israeli government’s coalition.
Smotrich expressed disdain for the UK’s action, referencing historical British restrictions on Jewish settlement in Palestine. Israel’s construction of approximately 160 settlements in the West Bank, housing some 700,000 Jews, remains a contentious issue, widely considered illegal under international law.
UK Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer highlighted a surge in settler violence in the West Bank, citing the ministers’ role in inciting such actions. The sanctions follow considerable pressure, including previous statements from the UK and allies expressing concerns about Israel’s actions and potentially violating international law.
The UK’s decision reflects mounting domestic pressure to address the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, including the suspension of trade talks with Israel. Reactions from UK political figures ranged from support for the sanctions to calls for a swifter response. The conflict’s devastating human toll, with tens of thousands killed in Gaza, underscores the urgency of the situation.
Analysis suggests that the Israeli public increasingly favors ending the conflict, primarily due to concern over hostages, while other regional actors are also involved.