Western Nations Sanction Far-Right Israeli Ministers Amid Gaza Crisis

The UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway have jointly imposed travel and financial sanctions on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers in response to their rhetoric and actions regarding the war in Gaza and violence in the West Bank.

Five Western nations announced on Tuesday their decision to impose sanctions on two far-right members of the Israeli cabinet, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as part of an intensified effort to address the dramatic humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway took this unusual step, contravening previous diplomatic norms and signaling a shift in how these countries engage with Israel regarding its handling of the conflict.

Ben-Gvir, the Israeli security minister, and Smotrich, the finance minister, have notably been vocal in their hardline stance, often calling for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has condemned their remarks, labeling them "monstrous" due to their incitement of extremist violence and violations of Palestinian human rights.

In a united statement, the foreign ministers of the five countries underscored their commitment to hold accountable those inciting violence. They linked the sanctions to broader geopolitical goals, including increasing pressure on Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a cease-fire with Hamas amidst the escalating humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar vehemently criticized the sanctions as “unacceptable,” asserting that they represent an outrageous attack on elected officials. He mentioned that the Israeli government would convene imminently to discuss how to respond to this unprecedented action.

The decision follows heightened international scrutiny of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, particularly in light of civilian casualties and calls for humanitarian aid. While the sanctions represent a significant political maneuver by these nations, France notably refrained from joining the sanctions, indicating divergent stances among Western allies.

The five nations' statement emphasized a commitment to an immediate cease-fire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, escalated humanitarian aid, and efforts aimed at paving the way to a two-state solution. In a recent address in Parliament, Lammy condemned Israel's war measures and called for a halt on trade discussions, labeling some Israeli officials' comments regarding the treatment of Palestinians as “dangerous” and “repellent.”